# Balance the equation: C + Fe2O3 → Fe + CO ?

Jul 19, 2017

$F {e}_{2} {O}_{3} + 3 C + \Delta \rightarrow 2 F e + 3 C O$

#### Explanation:

And this is a redox equation in which carbon (as coke) is oxidized to $\text{carbon monoxide}$......and $\text{ferric oxide}$ is reduced to metallic iron. And this is one of the effectual reactions of our civilization....

How could we do this reaction systematically.....?

$F {e}_{2} {O}_{3} \left(s\right) + 6 {H}^{+} + 6 {e}^{-} \rightarrow 2 F e + 3 {H}_{2} O$ $\left(i\right)$

i.e. the reduction half-equation.....

And there is a corresponding oxidation equation........

$C + {H}_{2} O \rightarrow C O + 2 {H}^{+} + 2 {e}^{-}$ $\left(i i\right)$

And we add these reactions in a way so as to eliminate the electrons which are included as virtual particles of convenience......

And so $\left(i\right) + 3 \times \left(i i\right)$ we gets......

$F {e}_{2} {O}_{3} \left(s\right) + \cancel{6 {H}^{+} + 6 {e}^{-}} + 3 C + \cancel{3 {H}_{2} O} \rightarrow 2 F e + \cancel{3 {H}_{2} O} + 3 C O + \cancel{6 {H}^{+} + 6 {e}^{-}}$

To give finally.......

$F {e}_{2} {O}_{3} + 3 C \rightarrow 2 F e + 3 C O$

Which is the same as we got before. These reactions are performed in the manufacture of iron and steel....and there are extensive data on these sorts of reactions.