Balance SO₂ + O₂ → SO₃
2 SO₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2 SO₃(g)
Balance an equation
2SO₂(g)+O₂(g)→2SO₃(g)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| S | 1:1 | 2:2 |
| O | 4:3 | 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, SO₃: put 1 in front of it.
- S: 1 on the right. Put 1 in front of SO₂.
- O: 3 on the right, 2 already on the left. Put 1/2 in front of O₂ (1/2 × 2 = 1).
- Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2.
- Check: S 2 = 2, O 6 = 6. Balanced.
What happens
It is a combination reaction: two or more substances join to form a single product. Sulphur dioxide is oxidised to sulphur trioxide over a vanadium oxide catalyst, on the way to sulphuric acid.
Sulphur dioxide and oxygen: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for sulphur dioxide and oxygen?
2 SO₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2 SO₃(g). The coefficients are 2, 1 and 2. Each side then has 2 S and 6 O.
What type of reaction is sulphur dioxide and oxygen?
It is a combination reaction: two or more substances join to form a single product. Sulphur dioxide is oxidised to sulphur trioxide over a vanadium oxide catalyst, on the way to sulphuric acid.
How do you balance SO₂ + O₂ → SO₃?
Start with the biggest formula, SO₃: put 1 in front of it. S: 1 on the right. Put 1 in front of SO₂. O: 3 on the right, 2 already on the left. Put 1/2 in front of O₂ (1/2 × 2 = 1). Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2. Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.