During the reaction, the atoms of Fe and O2 combine to form molecules of Fe2O3.
4 atoms of Fe combine with 3 molecules of O2 to produce 2 molecules of Fe2O3.
Use the chemical reaction to answer the question
4Fe + 3O2 -- 2Fe2O3
what happens to atoms of Fe and O2 during the reaction?
5 answers
do they gain mass?
No, the atoms of Fe and O2 do not gain mass during the reaction. According to the law of conservation of mass, mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. The total mass of the reactants (Fe and O2) will be equal to the total mass of the products (Fe2O3).
They are rearranged??
Yes, you are correct. In a chemical reaction, atoms are rearranged to form new molecules and compounds. In the given reaction, the atoms of Fe and O2 are rearranged to form molecules of Fe2O3. The four atoms of Fe combine with three molecules of O2 to form two molecules of Fe2O3. The arrangement of atoms changes from Fe + O2 to Fe2O3.