Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of aqueous potassium hydroxide with aqueous iron(III) chloride to form solid iron(III) hydroxide and aqueous potassium chloride.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and their states: potassium hydroxide (KOH) is aqueous, and iron(III) chloride (FeCl3) is also aqueous.
2. Identify the products and their states: iron(III) hydroxide (Fe(OH)3) is a solid, and potassium chloride (KCl) is aqueous.
3. Write the unbalanced chemical equation with the correct states: \(\text{KOH}_{(aq)} + \text{FeCl}_3_{(aq)} \rightarrow \text{Fe(OH)}_3_{(s)} + \text{KCl}_{(aq)}\).
4. Balance the chemical equation by adjusting the coefficients to ensure the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. Start by balancing the iron and potassium atoms, then the chlorine and oxygen atoms.
5. Check the final balanced equation to ensure mass and charge are balanced.

Key Concepts

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides. This is based on the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. To balance an equation, coefficients are adjusted in front of the chemical formulas.

Types of Chemical Reactions

The reaction described is a double displacement reaction, where two compounds exchange ions to form new compounds. In this case, potassium hydroxide and iron(III) chloride react to form iron(III) hydroxide and potassium chloride. Recognizing the type of reaction helps in predicting the products and understanding the underlying chemistry.

Solubility Rules

Solubility rules are guidelines that help predict whether a compound will dissolve in water. For instance, potassium chloride is soluble in water, while iron(III) hydroxide is not, leading to its precipitation as a solid. Understanding solubility is crucial for determining the physical states of reactants and products in a chemical equation.