Question

balance the chemical equation below, then use the objects in the answer key to correctly display the balanced equation.
? s + ? o₂ → ? so₃

Explanation:

Step1: Balance Sulfur (S) atoms

Let the coefficients be \(a\) (for \(S\)), \(b\) (for \(O_2\)), and \(c\) (for \(SO_3\)). The chemical equation is \(aS + bO_2
ightarrow cSO_3\).
For sulfur atoms: \(a = c\).

Step2: Balance Oxygen (O) atoms

For oxygen atoms: \(2b=3c\).
Let's assume \(c = 2\) (to get an integer value for \(b\)). Then \(a = 2\) (from sulfur balance).
Substituting \(c = 2\) into the oxygen - balance equation \(2b = 3c\), we have \(2b=3\times2\), so \(b = 3\).

Answer:

\(2S+3O_2
ightarrow2SO_3\)