Chapter 9, Problem 64A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reaction of hydrogen and sulfide with atmospheric oxygen gas needs to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Chemical equation is the symbolic description of a chemical reaction that products and reactants are indicating in terms of their chemical formula.

Answer to Problem 64A

The balance equation is as follows:

${\text{2H}}_{\text{2}}\text{S}\left(g\right)+3{\text{O}}_2\left(g\right)\to 2{\text{SO}}_{\text{2}}\left(s\right){\text{+2H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(g\right)$

Explanation of Solution

The given equation is as follows:

${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{S}\left(g\right)+{\text{O}}_2\left(g\right)\to {\text{SO}}_{\text{2}}\left(s\right){\text{+H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(g\right)$

In reactant side there are 2 oxygen atoms and in product side there are three oxygen atoms. Add 3 in front of reactant oxygen molecule and add 2 in front of product sulfur dioxide. Oxygen molecule is balanced in both reactant and product side. Now hydrogen and sulfide molecule are unbalanced in both sides. To achieve balance equation, add 2 in front of hydrogen sulfide and water molecule. The balance equation is as follows:

${\text{2H}}_{\text{2}}\text{S}\left(g\right)+3{\text{O}}_2\left(g\right)\to 2{\text{SO}}_{\text{2}}\left(s\right){\text{+2H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(g\right)$

Conclusion

In a chemical equation, the whole number coefficients in front of each substrate indicate the number of atoms involved in the chemical reaction. Balance equation is as follows:

${\text{2H}}_{\text{2}}\text{S}\left(g\right)+3{\text{O}}_2\left(g\right)\to 2{\text{SO}}_{\text{2}}\left(s\right){\text{+2H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(g\right)$