Question

Write balanced chemical equations for the reaction between iron and (a) hydrochloric acid, (b) nitric acid.

Short answer

(a) The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between iron and hydrochloric acid is: \(Fe + 3HCl -> FeCl_3 + 2H_2\) (b) The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between iron and nitric acid is: \(Fe + 3HNO_3 -> Fe(NO_3)_3 + 2H_2\)

Step-by-step solution

Identify the reactants and products

In this reaction, iron (Fe) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to produce iron (III) chloride (FeCl₃) and hydrogen gas (H₂).

Write the unbalanced chemical equation

Now that we know the reactants and products, we can write the unbalanced chemical equation: Fe + HCl -> FeCl₃ + H₂

Balance the chemical equation

To balance the equation, we need to make sure there are the same number of atoms of each element on both sides. In this case: - There are 3 Cl atoms on the right and only 1 Cl atom on the left, so we need to put a 3 in front of HCl: Fe + 3HCl - There are 2 H atoms on the right and 6 H atoms on the left (3 multiplied by 2), so we need to put a 2 in front of the H₂: 2H₂ The balanced chemical equation is: Fe + 3HCl -> FeCl₃ + 2H₂ (b) Reaction of iron with nitric acid

Identify the reactants and products

In this reaction, iron (Fe) reacts with nitric acid (HNO₃) to produce iron (III) nitrate (Fe(NO₃)₃) and hydrogen gas (H₂).

Write the unbalanced chemical equation

Now that we know the reactants and products, we can write the unbalanced chemical equation: Fe + HNO₃ -> Fe(NO₃)₃ + H₂

Balance the chemical equation

To balance the equation, we need to make sure there are the same number of atoms of each element on both sides. In this case: - There are 3 NO₃ groups on the right and only 1 NO₃ group on the left, so we need to put a 3 in front of HNO₃: Fe + 3HNO₃ - There are 2 H atoms on the right and 6 H atoms on the left (3 multiplied by 2), so we need to put a 2 in front of the H₂: 2H₂ The balanced chemical equation is: Fe + 3HNO₃ -> Fe(NO₃)₃ + 2H₂