To balance the chemical equation Cs + O₂ → CS₂0 using the smallest-whole-number ratio method, we need to ensure that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is equal.
Let's start by counting the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation:
On the left side (reactant side):
- We have 1 Cs atom.
- We have 2 O atoms.
On the right side (product side):
- We have 1 C atom.
- We have 2 S atoms.
- We have 1 O atom.
To balance the Cs atoms, we need to place a coefficient in front of the Cs on the left side. Let's assign it as "a":
a Cs + O₂ → CS₂0
Now, let's balance the S atoms. There are 2 S atoms on the right side, so we need to place a coefficient of 2 in front of the CS on the right side:
a Cs + O₂ → 2 CS₂0
Now, let's balance the O atoms. There are 2 O atoms on the left side and only 1 O atom on the right side. To balance them, we need to place a coefficient of 2 in front of the O₂ on the left side:
a Cs + 2 O₂ → 2 CS₂0
Finally, let's check if the equation is balanced:
- On the left side, we have a Cs atom, 4 O atoms (2 from each O₂), and 0 S atoms.
- On the right side, we have a C atom, 4 O atoms (2 from each CS₂0), and 4 S atoms (2 from each CS₂0).
The number of atoms is now balanced on both sides of the equation.
Therefore, the coefficients ahead of each substance in the balanced chemical equation are:
- Cs: a (where "a" is a coefficient that represents a whole number)
- O₂: 2
- CS₂0: 2