Word equation
iron(II) cation + hydroxide anion →→ iron(II) hydroxide
Input interpretation
Fe2+ + OH- → Fe(OH)3
iron(II) cation hydroxide anion iron(II) hydroxide
Balanced equation
Balance the chemical equation algebraically:
Fe2+ + OH- → Fe(OH)3
Add stoichiometric coefficients, c1, to the reactants and products:
c1Fe2+ + c2 OH- → c3 Fe(OH)3
Set the number of atoms and the charges in the reactants equal to the number of atoms and the charges in the products for Fe, O and H:
Fe: c1= c3
O: c2 = 2 c3
H: c2= 2c3
Charges: 2 c1- c2=0
Since the coefficients are relative quantities and underdetermined, choose a coefficient to set arbitrarily. To keep the coefficients small, the arbitrary value is ordinarily one. For instance, set c1 = 1 and solve the system of equations for the remaining coefficients:
c1 = 1
c2=2
c3 = 1
Substitute the coefficients into the chemical reaction to obtain the balanced equation:
Answer:
Fe2+ + OH- → Fe(OH)3
