Question

Balance the following chemical equation. Choose the correct sequence of coefficients

O2 +SO2 -;SO3
1 . 2:1:2
2 . 2:2:1
3 . 1.2.2
4 . 1:1:1

Answer 1

The unbalanced equation SO2 + O2 → SO3 is balanced by adding the coefficients 2:1:2 to yield the balanced equation 2SO2 + O2 → 2SO3, ensuring equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.

Step-by-step explanation:

To balance the chemical equation for the formation of sulfur trioxide (SO3) from sulfur dioxide (SO2) and oxygen (O2), we must ensure we have the same number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. We start by writing the initial unbalanced equation:

SO2 + O2 → SO3

As the solution points out, there is one S atom on both sides of the equation initially, which means that sulfur is already balanced. However, to balance the oxygen atoms, we need to add a coefficient of 2 before SO3 on the product side:

SO2 + O2 → 2SO3

This now gives us six O atoms on the product side. To balance the O atoms on the reactant side, we need two more O atoms, which can be achieved by adding a coefficient of 2 before SO2 on the reactant side:

2SO2 + O2 → 2SO3

With these coefficients, we have two S atoms on both sides and a total of six O atoms on both sides of the chemical equation. The equation is now balanced with a ratio of 2:1:2 for SO2, O2, and SO3, respectively. This ensures that the number of atoms of each element is conserved, maintaining the law of conservation of mass. The correct sequence of coefficients is therefore 2:1:2.