Iron oxide can be reduced to metallic iron by heating it in the presence of carbon

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3 C + Fe2O3 --> 2 Fe + 3 CO

3 : 2 ratio

Explanation:-

The chemical formula of Iron Oxide = Fe2O3

The symbol for Carbon = C

The symbol for Iron = Fe

The equation for this reaction becomes

C + Fe2O3 --> Fe + CO

On the left side there are 2 Fe

To make 2 Fe on right side we multiply Fe by 2.

C+ Fe2O3 --> 2 Fe + CO

There are 3 O on the left side. To make 3 O on right side we multiply CO by 3.

C + Fe2O3 --> 2 Fe + 3 CO

Now we have 3 C on the right side. To make 3 C on the left we multiply C by 3.

3 C + Fe2O3 --> 2 Fe + 3 CO

Thus balanced chemical equation for this reaction is

3 C + Fe2O3 --> 2 Fe + 3 CO

So in the balanced reaction we have 3 C and 2 Fe.

∴ The ratio of C to Fe is 3 : 2