Balance the following chemical equation:
Fe(s) + H2O(g) → Fe3O4 + H2(g)
Balancing a chemical reaction is a very important step to satisfy the Law of Conservation of Mass. According to the law the total mass of the reactants should be equal to the total mass of the products formed.
Balancing a chemical reaction is just a trial and error method. While balancing, one has to ensure that the total number of molecules of an element at the reactant side should be equal to total number of molecules on product side.
Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2
Now in the above reaction, iron on the product side has three molecules so let us multiply the iron on reactant side with 3.
3Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2
There are four molecules of oxygen on product side. So let us multiply the water molecule on reactant side with 4.
3Fe + 4H2O → Fe3O4 + H2
Now there are eight molecules of hydrogen on reactant side. So let us make eight molecules on the product side also by multiplying hydrogen on product side with 4.
3Fe + 4H2O → Fe3O4 + 4H2