Final answer:
To balance the chemical equation FeS2 + O2 → Fe2O3 + SO2, adjust the coefficients to match the number of atoms on both sides, resulting in 4FeS2 + 11O2 → 2Fe2O3 + 8SO2.
Step-by-step explanation:
To balance the chemical equation FeS2 + O2 → Fe2O3 + SO2, one must ensure that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both the reactant and product sides of the equation. Balancing complex equations often involves a trial and error approach.
First, let's write the unbalanced equation: FeS2 + O2 → Fe2O3 + SO2.
The key to balancing the equation is making sure that the number of molecules of each compound is correct. This can be done by adjusting the coefficients (the numbers in front of the compounds) until the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Here's an example:
- 4FeS2 + 11O2 → 2Fe2O3 + 8SO2
This balanced equation now shows that there are 4 iron (Fe) atoms, 8 sulfur (S) atoms, and 22 oxygen (O) atoms on both sides. It took a coefficient of 4 in front of FeS2, a coefficient of 11 in front of O2, a coefficient of 2 in front of Fe2O3, and a coefficient of 8 in front of SO2 to balance the equation.