Question

What is the balanced equation for the combustion of sulfur

Answer 1

There are three possible chemical equations for the combustion of sulfur:

• 2S (s) + O₂ (g) → 2SO (g)

• S (s) + O₂ (g) → SO₂ (g)

• 2S (s) + 3O₂ (g) → 2SO₃ (g)

Step-by-step explanation:

Combustion is a reaction with oxygen. The products of the reaction are oxides, and energy is released in the form of heat and light.

Sulfur iis a nonmetal, so the oxide formed is a nonmetal oxide.

The most common oxidation numbers of sulfur are -2, + 2, + 4, and + 6.

The combination of sulfur with oxygen may be only with the positive oxidation numbers (+2, + 4, and +6).

Then you have three different equations for sulfur combustion:

1) Oxidation number +2:

• S(s) + O₂(g) → SO(g)

Which when balanced is: 2S(g) + O₂(g) → 2SO(g)

2) Oxitation number +4:

• S(s) + O₂(g) → SO₂(g)

That equation is already balanced.

3) Oxidation number +6:

• S(s) + O₂(g) → SO₃(g)

Which when balanced is: 2S(s) + 3O₂(g) → 2SO₃(g)