Question

determine whether the following equation is balanced- 8 s₈ + 15 o₂ → 8 so₃
the equation is not balanced because there are more oxygen atoms in the products than the reactants.
the equation is balanced.
the equation is not balanced because there are eight atoms of oxygen in the products and reactants.
the equation is not balanced because there are more atoms in the reactants than the products.

Explanation:

Step1: Count sulfur atoms on reactant side

On the left - hand side, we have $8S_8$, so the number of sulfur atoms is $8\times8 = 64$. On the right - hand side, we have $8SO_3$, so the number of sulfur atoms is 8. Since $64
eq8$, the sulfur atoms are not balanced. But we can also check oxygen atoms.

Step2: Count oxygen atoms on reactant side

We have $15O_2$, so the number of oxygen atoms is $15\times2=30$.

Step3: Count oxygen atoms on product side

We have $8SO_3$, so the number of oxygen atoms is $8\times3 = 24$. Since $30
eq24$, oxygen atoms are not balanced.

Answer:

The equation is not balanced because there are more oxygen atoms in the reactants than the products. (The first option is correct among the given ones as it correctly points out the imbalance in oxygen atoms, and the other options have incorrect statements about the balance of atoms).