How do you balance Fe+H_2SO_4 -> Fe_2(SO_4)_3 + H_2?

1 Answer
Henry W.
Oct 2, 2016

2Fe_((s)) + 3H_2SO_(4(aq)) -> Fe_2(SO_4)_(3(aq)) + 3H_2(g)

Explanation:

Start by looking at the most complex compound, and balancing around that. In this case, its Fe_2(SO_4)_(3(aq)).

We see that we need 2 Fe and 3 SO_4 on the reactants side, so we add those in. After that, there is only an imbalance of H_2, which is easily fixed by adding a 3 to the products side.

The general way to balance is by starting with the most complex compound first, and making sure the rest of the equation conforms to it (it's much harder to try and balance the more complex compound to the rest of the equation).

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