Balancing Main     |     Breslyn.org     |   Big List of Equations    

How to Balance:

Word equation: Sulfur dioxide + Oxygen gas + Water → Sulfuric acid

Type of Chemical Reaction: For this reaction we have a combination (also called synthesis) reaction.

Balancing Strategies: This is an interesting reaction since it produces H2SO4, sulfuric acid.

Be sure to count all of the Oxygen (O) atoms on the reactant side when balancing the equation.

For a complete explanation, watch:

When balancing chemical equations our goal is to have the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.

Only change the coefficients (these are the numbers in front substances).
Never change the subscripts (the small numbers after elements).