The number of electrons transferred when the following unbalanced redox equation is balanced using simplest whole number ratio is Fe + H+ → Fe3+ + H2

Question

The number of electrons transferred when the following unbalanced redox equation is balanced using simplest whole number ratio is Fe +  H+ →  Fe3+ +  H2

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The problem asks about the number of electrons transferred when the unbalanced redox equation Fe + H+ → Fe3+ + H2 is balanced in the simplest whole-number ratio.

First, consider the oxidation half-reaction: Fe → Fe3+ + 3 e-. This shows that iron is losing 3 electrons (oxidation).

Next, consider the reduction half-reaction for hydrogen ions to form hydrogen gas: H+ + e- → 1/2 H2. To balance completely, we need to combine with the iron oxidation so that the electrons lost equal the electrons gained.

To balance the electrons, multiply the iron oxidation half-reaction by 2 to yield 6 electrons: 2 Fe → 2 Fe3+ + 6 e-.

For the reduction half-reaction, multiply the H+/H2 half-reaction accordingly so that it consumes 6 electrons: 6 H+ + 6 e- → 3 H2.

Now add the two half-reactions together, canceling the electrons:
2 Fe + 6 H+ → 2 Fe3+ + 3 H2.

In this balanced equation, the total number of electrons transferred is the amount that moves from the oxidation side to the reduction side, which is 6 electrons (since 6 e- are produced by the oxidation and consumed by the reduction).

Evaluating the answer options:
- Option a (1): Incorrect, the electron bookkeeping shows 6 electrons are transferred, not 1.
- Option b (6): Correct, aligns with the balanced half-reaction method and the overall electron transfer.
- Option c (2): Incorrect, would undercount the electrons by a factor of 3.
- Option d (3): Incorrect, this would indicate 3 electrons transferred, not matching the balanced process.

Thus, the reasoning leads to 6 electrons transferred in the balanced equation, corresponding to the option that lists 6.

MUF0042 Chemistry Unit 2 - Semester 2, 2025 10.13 Quiz: Balancing Redox Reactions

The number of electrons transferred when the following unbalanced redox equation is balanced using simplest whole number ratio is Fe + H+ → Fe3+ + H2

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