Answer:
2Fe(s) + 3Cl2(g) → 2FeCl3(s)
Explanation:
Step 1: Data given
iron = Fe = solid = Fe(s)
chlorine = Cl2 = gas = Cl2(g)
iron(III) chloride = FeCl3 = solid = FeCl3(s)
Step 2: The unbalanced equation
Fe(s) + Cl2(g) → FeCl3(s)
Step 3: Balancing the equation
Fe(s) + Cl2(g) → FeCl3(s)
On the left we have 2x Cl (in Cl2) and on the right side we have 3x Cl (in FeCl3). To balance the amount of Cl we have to multiply Cl2 (on the left) by 3 and FeCl3 by 2.
Fe(s) + 3Cl2(g) → 2FeCl3(s)
On the left side we have 1x Fe and on the right side we have 2x Fe (in 2FeCl3). To balance the amount of Fe, we have to multiply Fe on the left side by 2. Now the equation is balanced.
2Fe(s) + 3Cl2(g) → 2FeCl3(s)