Use the reaction to answer the question.

Fe2O3 + 3H2SO4

How many atoms of oxygen will be found in the product(s) of the reaction?

(1 point)
Responses

3
3

4
4

15
15

12

1 answer

To determine the number of oxygen atoms in the products of the reaction between Fe₂O₃ and H₂SO₄, we first need to balance the reaction and identify the products.

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is:

\[ \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 + 3 \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \rightarrow \text{Fe}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3 + 3 \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

Now, let's identify the number of oxygen atoms in the products:

  1. In Fe₂(SO₄)₃, there are:

    • 3 sulfate ions (SO₄) per formula unit, and each sulfate ion contains 4 oxygen atoms: \[ 3 \times 4 = 12 \text{ oxygen atoms} \]
  2. In 3 H₂O, there are:

    • 3 water molecules, and each water molecule contains 1 oxygen atom: \[ 3 \times 1 = 3 \text{ oxygen atoms} \]

Now, we can add the total number of oxygen atoms in the products: \[ 12 \text{ (from Fe}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3) + 3 \text{ (from H}_2\text{O)} = 15 \]

Thus, the total number of oxygen atoms in the products of the reaction is 15.

The response is 15.