Chapter 20, Problem 1QRT

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

In production of iron from its ores, the primary reducing agent that is used has to be given and balanced chemical equation for the reduction process has to be written.

Explanation of Solution

Most abundant transition metal is Iron.  It is also the second most abundant element that is metal.  Iron is extracted from its ores by many processes.  Primary reducing agent that is used in production of iron from the ores of iron is Carbon monoxide.

Iron present in the form of oxide is reduced to iron by the use of carbon monoxide.  This can be represented in form of chemical equation as,

    ${\text{Fe}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}\text{(s)}\text{+}\text{CO(g)}\stackrel{}{\to }\text{Fe(s)}\text{+}{\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}\text{(g)}$

Balancing Iron atom:  A total of two iron atoms is present in the reactant side while only one iron atom is present in the product side.  Coefficient 2 is added before $\text{Fe}$ in the product side balances the iron atoms on both sides of the equation.  The chemical equation obtained after adding coefficient can be given as,

    ${\text{Fe}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}\text{(s)}\text{+}\text{CO(g)}\stackrel{}{\to }2\text{Fe(s)}\text{+}{\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}\text{(g)}$

Balancing Oxygen atom:  A total of four oxygen atoms is present in the reactant side while only two oxygen atoms are present in the product side.  Coefficient 3 is added before ${\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}$ and before $\text{CO}$ balances the oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation.  The chemical equation obtained after adding coefficient can be given as,

    ${\text{Fe}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}\text{(s)}\text{+}3\text{CO(g)}\stackrel{}{\to }2\text{Fe(s)}\text{+}3{\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}\text{(g)}$

As this have all the atoms of same kind equal on both sides of the equation, it is known as balanced chemical equation.