How can I get #"Fe"_2"O"_3# and #"FeO"# from #"Fe"#?

1 Answer
marfre
Mar 19, 2017

#2Fe (s) + O_2 (g) -> 2FeO (s)#
#4Fe (s) + 3 O_2 (g) -> 2Fe_2O_3 (s)#

Explanation:

#FeO# is rare in nature:

#2Fe (s) + O_2 (g) -> 2FeO (s)#

If you start with iron (#Fe#), you can expose it to oxygen and water and it will rust to get #Fe_2O_3# (iron III oxide):

#4Fe (s) + 3 O_2 (g) -> 2Fe_2O_3 (s)#

If you are interested, usually you start with an iron ore such as hematite #Fe_2O_3# and burn carbon with some air to get #CO#. This reaction gets #Fe#: # Fe_2O_3 + 3CO -> 2 Fe + 3CO_2#

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