Final answer:
Sulfur dioxide gas is produced when coal with sulfur content is burned. One mole of sulfur dioxide gas contains 6.022 x 10^23 molecules of SO2.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coal is a fossil fuel that contains varying amounts of sulfur. When coal is burned, it releases sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas into the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide is a major contributor to acid rain. To determine the number of atoms in one mole of this gas, we need to know the molar mass of sulfur dioxide.
The molar mass of sulfur is 32 grams/mole and the molar mass of oxygen is 16 grams/mole. So, the molar mass of sulfur dioxide (SO2) is 32 + (2 x 16) = 64 grams/mole. Avogadro's number tells us that one mole of any substance contains 6.022 x 10^23 representative particles. Therefore, one mole of sulfur dioxide gas contains 6.022 x 10^23 molecules of SO2.