Question

The metal reacts with steam and the reaction is reversible is _________

• A. Calcium
• B. Iron

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Iron

The explanation for the correct answer

(a) Iron

When iron reacts with steam, it gives iron oxide and hydrogen gas. This reaction is reversible because if the formed hydrogen is not removed, then the formed iron oxide is reduced back to iron.

$$\begin{gathered} 3\mathrm{Fe}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+4{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\rightleftharpoons {\mathrm{Fe}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+4{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right) \\ \mathrm{Iron}\mathrm{Steam}\mathrm{Iron}\left(\mathrm{II}\right)\mathrm{oxide}\mathrm{hydrogen} \end{gathered}$$

The explanation for the incorrect answer

(a) Calcium

Calcium does not react with steam because the metal would explode, igniting the hydrogen.

Therefore, the metal reacts with steam and the reaction is reversible is iron.