How do You balance this equation with only the reactants Fe+HCl-->?

Question

How do You balance this equation with only the reactants Fe+HCl-->?

Answer 1

Fe + HCl - balance the equation to get FeCl2 and H2

Fe + 2HCl = FeCl2 + H2

Answer 2

To balance an equation you need to know what are the products of the reaction. This particular reaction would produce ferric chloride (FeCl3) and hydrogen gas (H2). So the reaction would be written as

2 Fe + 6 HCl  --->  2 FeCl3 + 3 H2

When balanced an equation has exactly the same number of atoms of each type on both sides of the equation. It is absolutely necessary to keep track of the atoms.

Answer 3

You have to know if you are producing FeCl2 or FeCl3, or both.