Question

Aluminum metal reacts with oxygen gas in a combination reaction that forms a product that coat the metal preventing it from further oxidation. Which of the following is the correct balanced equation for the reaction?
a. Al(s) + 302(g) → 2903(s).
b. 2Al(s) + O2(g) → 2A10(s).
c. AI(s) + O2(g) → AIO (s).
d. 4Al(s) + 3O2(g) →2Al2O3.
e. 3Al(s) + O2 → Al3O2.

Answer 1

Answer:

d. 4 Al(s) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 Al₂O₃(s)

Explanation:

Aluminum metal reacts with oxygen gas in a combination reaction that forms a product that coats the metal preventing it from further oxidation: aluminum oxide. Aluminum is a cation with charge 3+ (Al³⁻) and oxide is an anion with charge 2- (O²⁻). Thus, the neutral compound aluminum oxide has the chemical formula Al₂O₃. The unbalanced chemical equation is:

Al(s) + O₂(g) → Al₂O₃(s)

We can balance using the trial and error method. First, we will balance O atoms by multiplying Al₂O₃ by 2 and O₂ by 3.

Al(s) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 Al₂O₃(s)

Finally, we get the balanced equation by multiplying Al by 4.

4 Al(s) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 Al₂O₃(s)