Question

When iron metal reacts with sulfuric acid, it produces iron (III) sulfate and hydrogen gas. Balance the equation: Fe + H2SO4 → Fe2(SO4)3 + H2.
Explain why it is necessary to balance chemical equations and why coefficients can be added to an equation, but subscripts cannot be changed

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Balanced Equation; 2Fe + 3H₂SO₄ → Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + 3H₂
2. Why balance?: To obey the law of conservation of mass
3. Subscripts can not be changed, since they show the actual number of atoms of each element in a compound.

Explanation:

• The balanced equation for the reaction between the iron metal and sulfuric acid to produces iron (III) sulfate and hydrogen gas is given by;

2Fe + 3H₂SO₄ → Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + 3H₂

• Balancing chemical equations ensures that they obey the law of conservation of mass which requires the mass of reactants and the mass of products to be equal.
• Balancing is done by putting coefficients on reactants and products while not affecting the subscripts as subscripts show the actual number of atoms of an element in a compound.