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

$2SO_{2}(g) + O_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2SO_{3}(g)$.

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 $2SO_{2}(g) + O_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2SO_{3}(g)$.