Question

sulfur dioxide (so₂) is a gas released when volcanoes erupt. it can react with oxygen gas (o₂) to form sulfur trioxide (so₃), a substance that is harmful to living things. which model accurately represents this reaction?

Explanation:

Step1: Write the balanced chemical equation

The reaction is \(2SO_{2}+O_{2}
ightarrow 2SO_{3}\). This means 2 molecules of \(SO_{2}\) react with 1 molecule of \(O_{2}\) to form 2 molecules of \(SO_{3}\).

Step2: Analyze each model

• First model: \(1SO_{2}+2O_{2}

ightarrow1SO_{3}\), not balanced.

• Second model: \(1SO_{2}+2O_{2}

ightarrow2SO_{3}\), not balanced.

• Third model: \(2SO_{2}+1O_{2}

ightarrow2SO_{3}\), balanced.

• Fourth model: \(2SO_{2}+1O_{2}

ightarrow1SO_{3}\), not balanced.

Answer:

The third model.