Question

balance this equation. H2S+SO2 -> S8 + H2O

Answer 1

this one is tricky, you balance everything except the \(S_8\)

2 H2S+1 SO2 -> _ S8 + 2 H2O

then at the last step, use a fraction:

2 H2S+1 SO2 -> 3/8 S8 + 2 H2O

you can multiply everything by 8 to make them whole numbers if you want,

\(16 ~H_2S + 8~ SO_2 \rightarrow 3 ~S_8 + 16 ~H_2O\)