Question

Identify the balanced equation for the following reaction:

SO2(g) + O2(g) → SO3(g)

Answer 1

Answer: The balanced equation for the given reaction is

`2SO_(2)(g) + O_(2)(g) \rightarrow 2SO_(3)(g)`.

Step-by-step explanation:

A chemical equation which contains same number of atoms on both reactant and product side.

For example,
`SO_(2)(g) + O_(2)(g) \rightarrow SO_(3)(g)`

Here, number of atoms on reactant side are as follows.

• S = 1

• O = 4

Number of atoms on product side are as follows.

• S = 1

• O = 3

To balance this equation, multiply
`SO_(2)` by 2 on reactant side and multiply
`SO_(3)` by 2. Hence, the equation will be re-written as follows.

`2SO_(2)(g) + O_(2)(g) \rightarrow 2SO_(3)(g)`

Here, number of atoms on reactant side are as follows.

• S = 2

• O = 6

Number of atoms on product side are as follows.

• S = 2

• O = 6

Now, there are same number of atoms on both reactant and product side. So, this equation is balanced.

Thus, we can conclude that the balanced equation for the given reaction is
`2SO_(2)(g) + O_(2)(g) \rightarrow 2SO_(3)(g)`.