Question

When the following equation is balanced, what is the lowest whole-number coefficient for SO2? ____ HBrO3(aq) + ____ SO2(g) + ____ H2O(l) → ____ Br2(aq) + ____ H2SO4(aq)

Answer 1

Answer : The lowest whole-number coefficient for $SO_2$ is, 5

Explanation :

Balanced chemical reaction : It is defined as the reaction in which the number of atoms of individual elements present on reactant side must be equal to the product side.

If the amount of atoms of each type on the left and right sides of a reaction differs then to balance the equation by adding coefficient in the front of the elements or molecule or compound in the chemical equation.

The coefficient tell us about that how many molecules or atoms present in the chemical equation.

The given unbalanced chemical reaction is,

$HBrO_3(aq)+SO_2(g)+H_2O(l)\rightarrow Br_2(aq)+H_2SO_4(aq)$

This reaction is an unbalanced chemical reaction because in this reaction number of hydrogen, bromine and oxygen atoms are not balanced.

In order to balance the chemical equation, the coefficient '2' put before the $HBrO_3$, the coefficient '5' put before the $SO_2\text{ and }H_2SO_4$ and the coefficient '4' put before the $H_2O$ and we get the balanced chemical equation.

The balanced chemical reaction will be,

$2HBrO_3(aq)+5SO_2(g)+4H_2O(l)\rightarrow Br_2(aq)+5H_2SO_4(aq)$

Thus, the lowest whole-number coefficient for $SO_2$ is, 5