xFe + yH2O → Fe3O4 + zH2
What is the value of x, y and z respectively in the balanced reaction?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is option 2. 3, 4 and 4.
Let us balance the chemical equation step-by-step to find the values of x, y, and z:
Balance Iron (Fe): We see one Fe on the reactant side and three Fe on the product side. To balance \(Fe\), we need to put a coefficient of 3 before Fe on the reactant side:
\(3Fe + yH_2O \longrightarrow Fe_3O_4 + zH_2\)
Balance Oxygen (O): Now, there are 4 \(O\) on the product side (from \(Fe_3O_4\)) and only 1 \(O\) on the reactant side (from \(H_2O\)). To balance oxygen, we need a coefficient of 4 before \(H_2O\) on the reactant side:
\(3Fe + 4H_2O \longrightarrow Fe_3O_4 + zH_2\)
Balance Hydrogen (H): Finally, we have 8 \(H\) atoms on the reactant side (from \(4H_2O\)) and only 2 \(H\) atoms on the product side (from \(H_2\)). To balance hydrogen, we need a coefficient of 4 before \(H_2\) on the product side:
\(3Fe + 4H_2O \longrightarrow Fe_3O_4 + 4H_2\)
Therefore, the balanced equation is:
\(3Fe + 4H_2O \longrightarrow Fe_3O_4 + 4H_2\)
So the values are:
\(x\) (number of \(Fe\) atoms) = \(3\)
\(y\) (number of \(H_2O\) molecules) = \(4\)
\(z\) (number of \(H_2\) molecules) = \(4\)