Question

Carbon and sulpuric acid react to form carbon dioxide , sulphur dioxide and water. Write the

balanced chemical equation of the reaction​

Answer 1

The given chemical reaction is written as a Skeletal chemical equation using correct chemical formula.

$\sf C + H_2 SO_4 \longrightarrow CO_2 +SO_2 + H _2 O$

We know that atoms are neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. So, the number of atoms of elements in reactant side must be equal to product side.

So, let's compare no. of atoms of each element on both sides

$\begin{tabular}{ | c | c | c | } \cline{1-3} Element & Reactants & Products \\ \cline{1-3} C & 1 & 1 \\ \cline{1-3} H & 2 & 2 \\ \cline{1-3} S & 1 & 1 \\ \cline{1-3} O & 4 & 5 \\ \cline{1-3} \end{tabular}$

Now, no. of atoms of O is not even on both sides.So, to make them even add 2 as coefficient to H_2O on the product which contains O on product side.

$\sf C + H_2 SO_4 \longrightarrow CO_2 +SO_2 + 2H _2 O$

Again, compare the no. of atoms on both sides,

$\begin{tabular}{ | c | c | c | } \cline{1-3} Element & Reactants & Products \\ \cline{1-3} C & 1 & 1 \\ \cline{1-3} H & 2 & 4 \\ \cline{1-3} S & 1 & 1 \\ \cline{1-3} O & 4 & 6 \\ \cline{1-3} \end{tabular}$

We can see that no. of atoms of H are not equal.To make them equal add 2 as coefficient to H_2SO_4 on the Reactant which contains O on reactant side.

$\sf C + 2H_2 SO_4 \longrightarrow CO_2 +SO_2 + 2H _2 O$

Comparing no. of atoms on both sides

$\begin{tabular}{ | c | c | c | } \cline{1-3} Element & Reactants & Products \\ \cline{1-3} C & 1 & 1 \\ \cline{1-3} H & 4 & 4 \\ \cline{1-3} S & 2 & 1 \\ \cline{1-3} O & 8 & 6 \\ \cline{1-3} \end{tabular}$

No. of atoms of S are not equal. Multiply SO_2 with 2 to make them equal

$\sf C + 2H_2 SO_4 \longrightarrow CO_2 +2SO_2 + 2H _2 O$

$\begin{tabular}{ | c | c | c | } \cline{1-3} Element & Reactants & Products \\ \cline{1-3} C & 1 & 1 \\ \cline{1-3} H & 4 & 4 \\ \cline{1-3} S & 2 & 2 \\ \cline{1-3} O & 8 & 8 \\ \cline{1-3} \end{tabular}$

Now no. of atoms are equal for all elements. Hence the equation is a balanced chemical equation.