How would you balance the following equation: S8 + O2 --> SO3?

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Answer 1 · 2016-01-04T04:45:23

The balanced equation is $"S"_8+"12O"_2"$ $rarr$ $"8SO"_3"$ .

Unbalanced Equation
$"S"_8+"O"_2"$ $rarr$ $"SO"_3"$

Balance the S. There are $8$ atoms (or moles) of S on the left side and 1 on the right side. Place a coefficient of $8$ in front of $"SO"_3"$ .

$"S"_8+"O"_2"$ $rarr$ $"8SO"_3"$

Now there are $8$ atoms (or moles) of sulfur on both sides of the equation.

Balance the O. There are $2$ atoms (or moles) of O on the left side and $24$ on the right. Place a coefficient of $12$ in front of $"O"_2"$ .

$"S"_8+"12O"_2"$ $rarr$ $"8SO"_3"$

There are now equal numbers of atoms (or moles) of sulfur and oxygen on both sides and the equation is balanced.