For help balancing this GCSE chemical equation?

[laurzj82]

I am studying for an OU degree although my next module isn't chemistry (luckily!) having some chemistry knowledge is recommended. It's been 20 years since I did my GCSEs and I can't remember how to do it!

I am looking through a GCSE textbook and there is a section on balancing chemical equations. I thought I had it but I can't do this one. I know the answer because its in the back of the book but I can't work out how to do it and where I am going wrong! Can anyone PLEASE talk me through it? I will be forever grateful!

Please be gentle with me because I am embarrassed that I can't even do GCSE level stuff

Thanks so much in advance.

Fe2O3 + 3CO => 2Fe + 3CO2

(I think)

There are two iron atoms on the left side, so there need to be two iron atoms on the right side. Therefore, you put a 2 in front of Fe.
There are four oxygen atoms on the left side, and two on the right side. Put a 3 in front of the CO, so that there are six oxygen atoms on the left side. You then need to triple the number of carbon dioxide molecules on the right side, so you put a 3 in front of CO2. This gives you three carbon atoms and six oxygen atoms on the right side.

Fe2O3 + 3CO —> 2Fe + 3CO2

See how much you've got on each side to start with.

1 C, 2 Fe, 4 O ----> 1 Fe, 1C, 2O

Looks like you're going to need more O on the right hand side.

Try 2 CO2 -> unfortunately you've now got too many Cs on the left and you can't rebalance without changing the Os.

Try 3 CO2 -> Now 6O on the right, to get 6 on the left you can either bump up the Fe2O3 but this would give you the wrong number of Cs, or you can now do 3 CO which balances C and O on each side.

You're now balanced except for 2Fe on one side and 1Fe on the other which is easy to match.

Hope that makes sense! Bit of trial and error and you'll get there.

Thank you so so much!

I was trying with 2CO2 and getting myself in a muddle! I think I get it now but will keep practicing.

I am so grateful, thanks everyone! X