In one stage in the commercial production of iron metal in a blast furnace, the iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3) reacts with carbon monoxide to form solid Fe3O4 and carbon dioxide gas. In a second stage, the Fe3O4 reacts further with carbon monoxide to produce solid elemental iron and carbon dioxide. What is the coefficient of iron(III) oxide in the second stage of the balanced equations?

It is not possible to get the coefficient of iron(III) oxide in the second stage of the equation since it is not formed as part of the products of the reaction.

Explanation:

The concept applied here is the balancing of equation by INDUCTION METHOD. There are two methods of balancing equation ; Inspection and Induction method.

Inspection method are used for simple equations and this involves putting appropriate numbers as coefficients in fronts of constituent element or atoms making up the reaction.

Induction method is used for complex equations, it involves putting unknown letters in fronts of constituents element or atoms and the first letter assumed is automatically given a value of 1.

Then each elements is solved by considering the number of atoms in both side of the equation, this eventually leads to simultaneous equation of two unknowns or linear equation.

The values of the unknown gotten is now replaced in front of each atom or elements making the reaction. The step by step calculations and the balanced equation is shown in the attachment.