Question

Write the complete balanced equation for the reaction between iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3) and water (H2O). You do not need to make the subscripts smaller; just write them out as regular numbers. For example: Fe2O3

Answer 1

Fe2O3 + H2O → Fe2O3·H2O
This is a hydration reaction where the iron oxide is dissolved into the water.

Answer 2

Explanation:

An equation will be balanced if the number of reactants equals the number of products.  

The given reaction is as follows.

      $Fe_{2}O_{3} + H_{2}O \rightarrow Fe(OH)_{3}$

Number of atoms on reactant side are as follows.

• Fe = 2
• O = 4
• H = 2

Number of atoms on product side are as follows.

• Fe = 1
• O = 3
• H = 3

Thus, to balance the given equation we need to multiply $H_{2}O$ on reactant side by 3 and $Fe(OH)_{3}$ by 2 on the product side.

Therefore, the balanced chemical equation will be as follows.

      $Fe_{2}O_{3} + 3H_{2}O \rightarrow 2Fe(OH)_{3}$