Question

Why is the reaction SO2 + H20 → H2SO2 not balanced?

A. The oxygen atoms are in two molecules on one side, but one in
the other.
O
B. There are more molecules on one side than on the other.
O
C. There are more oxygen atoms on one side than on the other.
O
D. The sulfur atom is in different places in reactant and product
molecules
SUBMIT

Answer 1

The answer is C

The correct way to balance the reaction, would be to write it as SO2 + H2O → H2SO3

Answer A is incorrect.

The oxygen atoms in the reaction SO2 + H2O -> H2SO3 are in two compounds on one end but on the other, it is in just one.

Answer D is wrong.

The sulfur atom has to be in the reactants and the products.

Answer B is not correct.

There are many types of chemical reactions . One side commonly has more atoms than the other.

Answer 2

Answer: C

# The main reason why the reaction above can not be balanced is:

This chemical reaction SO2 + H2O -> H2SO2 is not correctly written.

It must be: SO2 + H2O -> H2SO3

Step-by-step explanation:

Note 1:

H2SO2 can be produced by the other chemical reaction:

2H2O + SCl2 -> 2HCl + H2SO2

....

Note 2: Answer A is false

As you can see in the reaction SO2 + H2O -> H2SO3, the oxygen atoms are in two molecules on one side, but one in the other - However, this reaction is written correctly.

Note 3: Answer D is false

Of course the Sulfur atom must be placed in different places: in reactant and product molecules.

Note 4: Answer B is false

There are different kinds of chemical reactions, and this is normal that there are more molecules on one side than on the other.