Which of the following is the correctly balanced chemical equation for the reaction of S_8 with O_2 to form SO_2?

• A. S_8 + 8 O_2 → 8 SO_2
• B. 8 S + 8 O_2 → 8 SO_2
• C. S_8 + O_2 → SO_2
• D. S_8 + 4 O_2 → 4 SO_2

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction: sulfur in the form of \(S_8\) reacts with oxygen gas \(O_2\) to form sulfur dioxide \(SO_2\).
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: \(S_8 + O_2 \rightarrow SO_2\).
3. Balance the sulfur atoms first. Since there are 8 sulfur atoms in \(S_8\), place a coefficient of 8 in front of \(SO_2\) to have 8 sulfur atoms on the product side: \(S_8 + O_2 \rightarrow 8 SO_2\).
4. Balance the oxygen atoms next. On the product side, there are \$8 \times 2 = 16\( oxygen atoms. Since each \)O_2\( molecule has 2 oxygen atoms, place a coefficient of 8 in front of \)O_2\( to have 16 oxygen atoms on the reactant side: \)S_8 + 8 O_2 \rightarrow 8 SO_2$.
5. Verify that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the equation, confirming the equation is balanced.