which is the correctly balanced equation for the reaction of rust, fe₂o₃, and hydrochloric acid, hcl?\no…

Explanation:

Step1: Balance Fe atoms

In $\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3$, there are 2 Fe atoms. In $\text{FeCl}_3$, to balance Fe, we need 2 moles of $\text{FeCl}_3$. So far we have $\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3+\text{HCl}\to2\text{FeCl}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{O}$.

Step2: Balance Cl atoms

In 2 moles of $\text{FeCl}_3$, there are 6 Cl atoms. So we need 6 moles of $\text{HCl}$ since each $\text{HCl}$ has 1 Cl atom. Now we have $\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 + 6\text{HCl}\to2\text{FeCl}_3+\text{H}_2\text{O}$.

Step3: Balance O and H atoms

In $\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3$, there are 3 O atoms. In $\text{H}_2\text{O}$, to balance O, we need 3 moles of $\text{H}_2\text{O}$ which also balances the H atoms. The balanced equation is $\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3+6\text{HCl}\to2\text{FeCl}_3 + 3\text{H}_2\text{O}$.

Answer:

$\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 + 6\text{HCl}\to2\text{FeCl}_3 + 3\text{H}_2\text{O}$ (the third option)