In the reaction \(4 \text{Fe} + 3 \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\), the following changes occur to the atoms of iron (Fe) and oxygen (O2):
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Iron (Fe):
- Four iron atoms (Fe) are consumed in the reaction.
- These iron atoms combine with oxygen to form iron(III) oxide, \( \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \).
- Specifically, for every four iron atoms consumed, two formula units of iron(III) oxide are produced.
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Oxygen (O2):
- Three molecules of diatomic oxygen (O2) are consumed in the reaction.
- The oxygen molecules provide oxygen atoms that react with iron.
- Each O2 molecule contributes two oxygen atoms, leading to the formation of a total of six oxygen atoms that combine with the iron.
- These six oxygen atoms result in the formation of two formula units of iron(III) oxide, \( \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \).
In summary, during the reaction, four iron atoms and three molecules of oxygen are converted into two formula units of iron(III) oxide, resulting in a chemical transformation where the oxidation state of iron changes from 0 in elemental Fe to +3 in \( \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \) as it combines with oxygen.