Aluminum oxide solid reacts with gaseous carbon monoxide to produce aluminum metal and carbon dioxide gas. Write the balanced equation for this reaction.

Al₂O₃ (s) + 3CO (g) → 2Al (s) + 3CO₂ (g)

Explanation:

1 mol of aluminum oxide reacts with 3 moles of carbon monoxide in order to produce 2 moles of solid aluminum and 3 moles of carbon dioxide.

Al2O3 (s) + 3CO (g) → 2Al (s) + 3CO2 (g)

Explanation:

Step 1: data given

Aluminium oxide = Al2O3

carbon monoxide = CO

aluminium metal = Al

carbon dioxide = CO2

Step 2: The unbalanced equation

Al2O3 (s) + CO (g) → Al (s) + CO2 (g)

Step 3: Balancing the equation

Al2O3 (s) + CO (g) → Al (s) + CO2 (g)

On the left side we have 2x Al (in Al2O3), on the right side we have 1x Al. To balance the amount of Al, we have to multiply Al on the right side by 2

Al2O3 (s) + CO (g) → 2Al (s) + CO2 (g)

On the left side we have 4x O, on the right side we have 2x O. To balance the amount of O on both sides, we have to multiply CO on the left side by 3 and CO2 on the right side by 3. Now the equation is balanced.

Al2O3 (s) + 3CO (g) → 2Al (s) + 3CO2 (g)