Write balanced equations for the formation of the following compounds from their elements. (a) Iron(III) oxide

Key Concepts

Chemical Equations

Chemical equations represent the reactants and products in a chemical reaction. They must be balanced to obey the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. Each element's number of atoms must be the same on both sides of the equation.

Formation Reactions

A formation reaction is a specific type of chemical reaction where elements combine to form a compound. In these reactions, the elements are in their standard states, and the product is typically a single compound. For example, the formation of iron(III) oxide involves the reaction of iron and oxygen.

Oxidation States

Oxidation states (or oxidation numbers) indicate the degree of oxidation of an atom in a compound. They help in determining how electrons are transferred during reactions. In iron(III) oxide, iron has an oxidation state of +3, which is crucial for balancing the equation and understanding the compound's formation.