The balanced chemical equation for the reaction of ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form iron(III) chloride (FeCl₃) and water (H₂O) is:

Fe₂O₃(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2FeCl₃(aq) + 3H₂O(l)

Here's a breakdown:

* Fe₂O₃(s): Ferric oxide (iron(III) oxide), a solid.

* HCl(aq): Hydrochloric acid, an aqueous solution.

* FeCl₃(aq): Iron(III) chloride, an aqueous solution.

* H₂O(l): Water, a liquid.

Explanation of the Balancing:

* Iron (Fe): There are two iron atoms on the reactant side (Fe₂O₃) and two on the product side (2FeCl₃), so iron is balanced.

* Oxygen (O): There are three oxygen atoms on the reactant side (Fe₂O₃) and three on the product side (3H₂O), so oxygen is balanced.

* Hydrogen (H): There are six hydrogen atoms on the reactant side (6HCl) and six on the product side (3H₂O), so hydrogen is balanced.

* Chlorine (Cl): There are six chlorine atoms on the reactant side (6HCl) and six on the product side (2FeCl₃), so chlorine is balanced.

This balanced equation shows that one mole of ferric oxide reacts with six moles of hydrochloric acid to produce two moles of iron(III) chloride and three moles of water.