Question

sulfuryl chloride is a substance used to make chemicals for killing insects. it breaks down over time into sulfur dioxide and chlorine gas. consider the following reaction: some amount of sulfuryl chloride (so₂cl₂) breaks down to produce 4 molecules of sulfur dioxide (so₂) and 4 molecules of chlorine (cl₂). complete the table below. during this reaction, how many molecules of sulfuryl chloride (so₂cl₂) react?

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the reaction

The reaction is \(SO_2Cl_2
ightarrow SO_2 + Cl_2\).

Step2: Calculate atoms for O

In \(SO_2\), each molecule has 2 O atoms. 4 molecules of \(SO_2\) have \(4\times2 = 8\) O atoms.

Step3: Calculate atoms for S

In \(SO_2\), each molecule has 1 S atom. 4 molecules of \(SO_2\) have \(4\times1 = 4\) S atoms.

Step4: Calculate atoms for Cl

In \(Cl_2\), each molecule has 2 Cl atoms. 4 molecules of \(Cl_2\) have \(4\times2 = 8\) Cl atoms.

Step5: Determine \(SO_2Cl_2\) molecules

Since the reaction is balanced atom - wise, and we get 4 \(SO_2\) and 4 \(Cl_2\), from the formula \(SO_2Cl_2\), 4 molecules of \(SO_2Cl_2\) must react.

Answer:

O: 8; S: 4; Cl: 8; 4 molecules of \(SO_2Cl_2\) react.