Question

What is the correct sequence of coefficients when this equation is balanced? ___cs2(l) + ___o2(g) → ___co2(g) + ___so2(g)?

Answer 1

cs2(l) + 3 o2(g) → co2(g) + 2 so2(g

Answer 2

Answer: the sequence is 1, 3, 1, 2.

Explanation:

1) Given equation: CS₂(l) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g) + SO₂(g)

2) To balance:

i) initially C is balanced: 1 atom in the left side, and 1 atom in the right sides

ii) Add coefficient 2 in front of SO₂ to have 2 atoms in each side.

That leads to: CS₂(l) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g) + 2SO₂(g)

iii) Count the O atoms; there are 2 atoms in the left, and 6 atoms in the right side. So, add a coefficient 3 in front of O₂ (in the left) and you get:

CS₂(l) + 3O₂(g) → CO₂(g) + 2SO₂(g)

4) You can verigy that now the equation is balanced:

C: 1 in the left, and 1 in the right

S: 2 in the left, and 2 in the right

O: 6 in the left, and 6 in the right.

5) So, the sequence is 1, 3, 1, 2.

Remember, when the none coefficient is shown it is because it is 1.