Balancing iron (III) chloride formation from elements

[Dragonfly6191]

This is the equation I am supposed to write and balance:
The formation of solid iron (III) chloride
from its elements.

I tried to write it like this- 3Fe + 2Cl = 2FeCl3
But my teacher then asked: How does chlorine exist as an element?What I mean is if I have a container full of chlorine at room temperature the chlorine exists as Cl2 molecules . Other nonmetals also exist like this such as O2 and N2.
I'm not sure what this means and how to solve the equation. Can someone help please?

 

[xanthym]

This is the equation I am supposed to write and balance:
The formation of solid iron (III) chloride
from its elements.

I tried to write it like this- 3Fe + 2Cl = 2FeCl3
But my teacher then asked: How does chlorine exist as an element?What I mean is if I have a container full of chlorine at room temperature the chlorine exists as Cl2 molecules . Other nonmetals also exist like this such as O2 and N2.
I'm not sure what this means and how to solve the equation. Can someone help please?

It means the equation should be written and balanced using the Cl₂ molecule like it exists under standard conditions, that is, with Cl₂:
2Fe + 3Cl₂ ⇒ 2FeCl₃

Similarly, the formation of water would be written:
2H₂ + O₂ ⇒ 2H₂O


~~

 

[dextercioby]

Incidentally,pay attention to wording:chlorine exists as an element,but under normal pressure & temp.conditions it is only made up of diatomic molecules...

Daniel.

 

[codyg1985]

Incidentally,pay attention to wording:chlorine exists as an element,but under normal pressure & temp.conditions it is only made up of diatomic molecules...

Daniel.

The same can be said of hydrogen and most of the other elements in groups 6 and 7 because of those elements' tendency to bond with something to gain a total of eight electrons in their outer electron shell.

 

[dextercioby]

Halogens,nitrogen,oxygen & hydrogen form diatomic molecules.Sulphur & phosphorus are a bit weird.

Daniel.