When powdered sulfur, S₈, burns in air, a purple flame is produced, as well as a toxic, foul-smelling gas. What is the balanced equation for the reaction between sulfur and oxygen gas?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The balanced equation for the reaction between sulfur and oxygen gas is:

2S + 3O2 → 2SO3

However, since the question specifies powdered sulfur (S8), the formula needs to be adjusted accordingly:

S8 + 12O2 → 8SO3

The balanced equation in terms of molecules is:

1S8 + 6O2 → 4SO3

But the question asks for the balanced equation in terms of individual atoms, so we need to multiply everything by 8:

8S8 + 48O2 → 32SO3

Which simplifies to:

S16 + 8O2 → 8SO3

Therefore, the correct answer is C, which is the closest to the simplified balanced equation.

When Powdered Sulfur, S8, Burns in Air, a Purple Flame

When Powdered Sulfur, S₈, Burns in Air, a Purple Flame