Balance the following chemical equations and classify them into their different classes; a) Fecl3(aq) + KOH(aq) produce Fe(OH)3 +KCl

b) CH4 + H2O produce CO +H2

1 answer

Let's balance the given chemical equations and classify them.

a) FeCl₃(aq) + KOH(aq) → Fe(OH)₃(s) + KCl(aq)

Balancing:

  1. We have 1 Fe on both sides.
  2. We have 3 Cl from FeCl₃ on the left and KCl on the right. To balance Cl, we need 3 KCl.
  3. Thus, we also need 3 KOH to provide 3 OH⁻ for Fe(OH)₃.

Balanced Equation: \[ \text{FeCl}_3(aq) + 3 \text{KOH}(aq) \rightarrow \text{Fe(OH)}_3(s) + 3 \text{KCl}(aq) \]

Classification: This reaction is a double displacement (or metathesis) reaction, as it involves the exchange of ions between reactants.


b) CH₄ + H₂O → CO + H₂

Balancing:

  1. We have 1 C on both sides.
  2. In the reactants, we have 4 H in CH₄, and on the products side, we have 2 H in H₂. To balance H, we need 2 H₂ on the right side (which gives us 4 H).
  3. We also need to balance the O. In the reactants, we have 1 O from H₂O, and we have 1 O in CO.

Balanced Equation: \[ \text{CH}_4 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{CO} + 3 \text{H}_2 \]

Classification: This reaction is a combustion reaction (specifically, partial combustion, since it produces CO instead of CO₂), as it involves a hydrocarbon reacting with water to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas.


Final Summary:

  • a) Balanced: \[ \text{FeCl}_3(aq) + 3 \text{KOH}(aq) \rightarrow \text{Fe(OH)}_3(s) + 3 \text{KCl}(aq) \] (Double displacement)
  • b) Balanced: \[ \text{CH}_4 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{CO} + 3 \text{H}_2 \] (Partial combustion)