Which of the following chemical equations correctly represents the combustion of sulfur to produce sulfur dioxide?

• A. 2S + O_2 → 2SO
• B. 2S + 3O_2 → 2SO_3
• C. S + O_2 → SO_3
• D. S + O_2 → SO_2

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products involved in the combustion of sulfur. Combustion typically involves sulfur (S) reacting with oxygen (O_2) to form sulfur oxides.
2. Recall the common oxidation products of sulfur during combustion. Sulfur most commonly forms sulfur dioxide (SO_2) or sulfur trioxide (SO_3) when it burns in oxygen.
3. Write the unbalanced chemical equation for sulfur combustion to sulfur dioxide: \(S + O_2 \rightarrow SO_2\).
4. Balance the chemical equation by ensuring the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. For sulfur dioxide, the balanced equation is \(S + O_2 \rightarrow SO_2\) balanced as \(S + O_2 \rightarrow SO_2\) (note that oxygen atoms need to be balanced properly).
5. Compare the given options with the balanced equation for sulfur dioxide formation. The correct equation should show sulfur reacting with oxygen to form SO_2, not SO or SO_3.