Asked by Tjay

4Fe(0) + 3O2(0) → 2Fe2(3+)O3(2-)

How many electrons does the iron half-reaction lose?

How many electrons does the oxygen half-reaction gain?

What is the total number of electrons that are moved in this oxidation-reduction reaction?

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Each Fe atom: Fe(0) → Fe(3+) + 3 e− (loses 3 e−). With 4 Fe atoms: 4 × 3 = 12 e− lost total.

Oxygen (per O atom): O(0) → O(2−) gains 2 e−. Per O2 molecule: O2 + 4 e− → 2 O2− (gains 4 e−). With 3 O2 molecules: 3 × 4 = 12 e− gained total.

Total electrons moved (transferred) in the reaction = 12 e−.

Balanced half-reactions:
- Oxidation: 4 Fe → 4 Fe3+ + 12 e−
- Reduction: 3 O2 + 12 e− → 6 O2−

Combine → 4 Fe + 3 O2 → 2 Fe2O3.