Moles [ENDORSED]

[FrankieClarke2C]

While looking at this equation: Fe2O3(s)+ 3 CO2(g) ------> 2 Fe(s) + 3 CO2(g)
it implies that 2 mol Fe ~ 1 mol Fe2O3

How does this imply that 2 mol of iron equals 1 mol of the compound?

[ArielKim3C]

I believe that it is implying that there are two moles of iron for every one mole of the compound, instead of two moles equalling one mole of the compound.

[Luc Lorain 1L]

For this problem it is important to look at both the subscripts and balancing coefficients involved with the products and reactants. I think that its possible that you just overlooked the subscript 2 on Fe₂O₃, but if not I can explain in more detail.

Since a mole is a numerical quantity (like 5, 6, or 100), one mole of a molecule that contains many atoms can be broken up into many moles of smaller compounds or single atoms. In this instance there are 2 Fe atoms per one molecule of Fe₂O₃. One mole of Fe₂O₃ is equal to 6.022 x 10²³ molecules of Fe₂O₃. Since there are 2 Fe atoms per each molecule of the compound, there should be 2 mols of Fe on the products side of the equation, either bound together in a compound or as free atoms, as is the case here.

The one part of the problem I do not understand is the disappearance of of the oxygen from Fe₂O₃, as there is no oxygen in the products' side of the equation to balance. This would break the law of conservation of mass, and is in all cases incorrect. Is there more context to the problem, or perhaps something left out of the problem?

[Anjali_Kumar1F]

Its because that is the ratio. That is a balanced equation and 1 ratio Fe2O3 to 2 Fe because that what the formula is telling us.

[Noh_Jasmine_1J]

This is just showing the ratio of the Fe to the compound for that specific chemical reaction. The molar ratio could be different for other reactions

[Selina Bellin 2B]

i think it says that the 1 compound yields 2 moles of Fe

[vaishali 1D]

While looking at this equation: Fe2O3(s)+ 3 CO2(g) ------> 2 Fe(s) + 3 CO2(g)
it implies that 2 mol Fe ~ 1 mol Fe2O3

How does this imply that 2 mol of iron equals 1 mol of the compound?

It's a ratio. It is saying that there are two moles of iron for every one mole of the compound Fe2O3.