Question

A phosphorus molecule containing 4 atoms of phosphorus bonds with a molecule containing 8 sulfur atoms to form diphosphorus pentasulfide

What’s the balanced equation?

Answer 1

Answer: 4 P4 + 5 S8 => 8 P2S5

Explanation: The intial equation is

P4 + S8 => P2S5

To balance the equation we put a coefficient of 8 to P2S5 so the number of atoms for S and P are:

Reactants Products

P - 4 8 x 2 = 16

S - 8 8 x 5 = 40

To balance the reactant side we will multiply P by 4 and S by 5

Reactants Products

P - 4 x 4 = 16 2 x 8 = 16

S - 8 x 5 = 40 5 x 8 = 40

So the equation is now balanced.