Which of the following is the correctly balanced form of the chemical equation: Fe + O2 → Fe2O3?

• A. 4 Fe + 3 O2 → 2 Fe2O3
• B. 3 Fe + 2 O2 → 2 Fe2O3
• C. Fe + O2 → Fe2O3
• D. 2 Fe + O2 → Fe2O3

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements involved in the reaction: iron (Fe) and oxygen (O). The product is iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3.
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: \(\mathrm{Fe} + \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{Fe}_2\mathrm{O}_3\).
3. Balance the iron atoms first. Since there are 2 iron atoms in Fe2O3, place a coefficient of 2 in front of Fe2O3, which gives 4 iron atoms on the product side. To balance iron on the reactant side, place a coefficient of 4 in front of Fe.
4. Balance the oxygen atoms next. On the product side, 2 molecules of Fe2O3 contain \$2 \times 3 = 6\( oxygen atoms. To get 6 oxygen atoms on the reactant side, place a coefficient of 3 in front of O2 (since each O2 molecule has 2 oxygen atoms, \)3 \times 2 = 6$).
5. Verify that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides: 4 Fe atoms and 6 O atoms on both reactant and product sides, confirming the balanced equation is \$4 \mathrm{Fe} + 3 \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{Fe}_2\mathrm{O}_3$.