Fe(NO₃)₃(aq) + 3Na₂SO₄(aq) → Fe₂(SO₄)₃(aq) + 6NaNO₃(aq)
Here's how to balance the equation:
1. Identify the reactants and products:
- Reactants: Iron(III) nitrate (Fe(NO₃)₃) and sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄)
- Products: Iron(III) sulfate (Fe₂(SO₄)₃) and sodium nitrate (NaNO₃)
2. Write the unbalanced equation:
- Fe(NO₃)₃ + Na₂SO₄ → Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + NaNO₃
3. Balance the metals:
- There are 2 Fe atoms on the product side and 1 on the reactant side. Add a coefficient of 2 in front of Fe(NO₃)₃.
- 2Fe(NO₃)₃ + Na₂SO₄ → Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + NaNO₃
4. Balance the sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻):
- There are 3 SO₄²⁻ ions on the product side and 1 on the reactant side. Add a coefficient of 3 in front of Na₂SO₄.
- 2Fe(NO₃)₃ + 3Na₂SO₄ → Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + NaNO₃
5. Balance the nitrate ions (NO₃⁻):
- There are 6 NO₃⁻ ions on the reactant side and 1 on the product side. Add a coefficient of 6 in front of NaNO₃.
- 2Fe(NO₃)₃ + 3Na₂SO₄ → Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + 6NaNO₃
6. Check if all elements are balanced:
- Fe: 2 on both sides
- N: 6 on both sides
- O: 18 on both sides
- Na: 6 on both sides
- S: 3 on both sides
Now the equation is completely balanced.
