Balance H₂S + O₂ → SO₂ + H₂O
2 H₂S(g) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 SO₂(g) + 2 H₂O(l)
Balance an equation
2H₂S(g)+3O₂(g)→2SO₂(g)+2H₂O(l)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| H | 2:2 | 4:4 |
| S | 1:1 | 2:2 |
| O | 2:3 | 6:6 |
Check atoms
How to balance it, step by step
- Count the atoms of each element on both sides, as written.
- Start with the biggest formula, H₂S: put 1 in front of it.
- S: 1 on the left. Put 1 in front of SO₂.
- H: 2 on the left. Put 1 in front of H₂O (1 × 2 = 2).
- O: 3 on the right. Put 3/2 in front of O₂ (3/2 × 2 = 3).
- Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2.
- Check: H 4 = 4, S 2 = 2, O 6 = 6. Balanced.
What happens
It is a combustion reaction: a substance burns in oxygen and gives out heat and light. Hydrogen sulphide, the gas that smells of rotten eggs, burns in plenty of air to give sulphur dioxide and water.
Hydrogen sulphide burning: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for hydrogen sulphide burning?
2 H₂S(g) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 SO₂(g) + 2 H₂O(l). The coefficients are 2, 3, 2 and 2. Each side then has 4 H, 2 S and 6 O.
What type of reaction is hydrogen sulphide burning?
It is a combustion reaction: a substance burns in oxygen and gives out heat and light. Hydrogen sulphide, the gas that smells of rotten eggs, burns in plenty of air to give sulphur dioxide and water.
How do you balance H₂S + O₂ → SO₂ + H₂O?
Start with the biggest formula, H₂S: put 1 in front of it. S: 1 on the left. Put 1 in front of SO₂. H: 2 on the left. Put 1 in front of H₂O (1 × 2 = 2). O: 3 on the right. Put 3/2 in front of O₂ (3/2 × 2 = 3). Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2. Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.