How would you balance S8+F2--> __SF6?

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Answer 1 · 2015-10-27T13:02:04

$S_{8}$ $S_8$ + $24 F_{2}$ $24F_2$ $\to$ $rarr$ $8 S F_{6}$ $8SF_6$

First thing you need to do is to tally the atoms.

$S_{8}$ $S_8$ + $F_{2}$ $F_2$ $\to$ $rarr$ $S F_{6}$ $SF_6$ (unbalanced)

Based on the subscripts,

Left side: S = 8; F = 2
Right side: S = 1; F = 6

Since you cannot balance an equation by changing subscripts, all you can do is insert the coefficients. Let's start with the easier atom to balance.

$S_{8}$ $S_8$ + $F_{2}$ $F_2$ $\to$ $rarr$ $8 S F_{6}$ $color (blue) 8 SF_6$

Left side: S = 8; F = 2
Right side: S = (1 x $8$ $color (blue) 8$ ) = 8; F = (6 x $8$ $color (blue) 8$ ) = 48

Please notice that since $S F_{6}$ $SF_6$ is a substance, you need to multiply the coefficient, not only to S but also to F.

Now to balance the F.

$S_{8}$ $S_8$ + $24 F_{2}$ $color (green) 24 F_2$ $\to$ $rarr$ $8 S F_{6}$ $color (blue) 8 SF_6$

Left side: S = 8; F = (2 x $24$ $color (green) 24$ ) = 48
Right side: S = (1 x $8$ $color (blue) 8$ ) = 8; F = (6 x $8$ $color (blue) 8$ ) = 48

The equation is now balanced.

How would you balance __S8+__F2--> __SF6?