Question

How do you balance ${S_3} + {O_2} \to S{O_3}?$

Answer 1

Hint: A chemical equation consists of the chemical formulas of the reactant and the chemical formula of the products. The two are separated by an arrow symbol and each individual substance chemical formula is separated from others by a plus sign.

Complete step by step answer:
A balanced equation each side of the chemical equation must represent the same quantity of any particular element. In a balanced chemical equation law of conservation of mass dictates therefore the same charge must be present on both sides of the balanced equation.
One balanced a chemical equation by changing the scalar number for each chemical formula. Simple chemical equations can be balanced by trial and error or solving a system of linear equations.
Trial error or inspection method is as follows:
(1) Putting coefficient $1$ in front of the most complex formula and putting the other coefficient before everything else such that both sides have some number of each atom.
(2) If any fractional coefficient exists, multiply every coefficient with the smallest number required to make them whole, typically the denominator of the fractional coefficient for a reaction with a single fraction coefficient.
We have to balance the chemical reaction give as,
${S_8} + {O_2} \to S{O_3}$
On the left hand side we have $8$ atoms of $5$ and $1$ on the right hand side. So to make it balanced make the coefficient of $S{O_3}$ as $8$ on the right hand side.
${S_8} + {O_2} \to 18S{O_3}$
Next we have only $2$ atoms of oxygen LHS and $24$ atoms on RHS.
So, to balance multiply or make the coefficient of oxygen as $12.$
${S_8} + 12{O_2} \to 8S{O_3}$
Now, there are equal numbers of atoms on both sides and hence the chemical reaction is balanced.

Additional Information:
Law of conservation or principle of mass states that for any system closed to all transfers of matter and energy the mass of the system must remain constant over time, as the system mass cannot change, so quantity can neither be added nor be removed. During any thermodynamic process in an isolated system, the total mass of the reactants or starting materials must be equal to the mass of the products. Techniques have been developed to quickly calculate a set of ${I_N}$ independent solutions to the balancing problem and are superior to the inspection and algebraic method in that they are determinative and field all solutions to balancing problems..

Note: The conservation of mass only holds approximately and is considered part of a series of assumptions coming from classical mechanics. The law has to be modified to completely comply with the laws of quantum mechanics and special relativity under the principle of mass from one concerned quantity. Mass is also not generally conserved in an open system. For some molecules and ions, it is difficult to determine which lone pair should be moved to form double or triple bonds and two or more different structures may be written for the same molecule or ion. When this situation occurs the molecule's Lewis structure is said to be a resonance structure and the molecule exists as a resonance hybrid.