Sulfuric acid is a component of acid rain formed when gaseous sulfur dioxide pollutant reacts with gaseous oxygen and liquid water to form aqueous sulfuric acid. Write the balanced chemical equation this reaction. (Note: this is a simplified representation of this reaction.)

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Identify the reactants and products in the reaction: sulfur dioxide (SO_2), oxygen (O_2), and water (H_2O) react to form sulfuric acid (H_2SO_4).

Write the unbalanced chemical equation: SO_2 (g) + O_2 (g) + H_2O (l) -> H_2SO_4 (aq).

Balance the sulfur atoms: There is 1 sulfur atom in SO_2 and 1 in H_2SO_4, so the sulfur atoms are already balanced.

Balance the hydrogen atoms: There are 2 hydrogen atoms in H_2O and 2 in H_2SO_4, so the hydrogen atoms are already balanced.

Balance the oxygen atoms: There are 2 oxygen atoms in SO_2, 2 in O_2, and 1 in H_2O, making a total of 5 oxygen atoms on the reactant side. There are 4 oxygen atoms in H_2SO_4, so adjust the coefficients to balance the oxygen atoms.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Chemical Reactions

A chemical reaction involves the transformation of reactants into products through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds. In this context, sulfur dioxide (SO2) reacts with oxygen (O2) and water (H2O) to produce sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Understanding how to identify reactants and products is essential for writing balanced chemical equations.

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing a chemical equation ensures that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation, adhering to the law of conservation of mass. This process involves adjusting coefficients in front of compounds to achieve balance, which is crucial for accurately representing the reaction and its stoichiometry.

Acid-Base Chemistry

Acid-base chemistry studies the properties and reactions of acids and bases. Sulfuric acid, a strong acid, dissociates in water to release hydrogen ions (H+), contributing to the acidity of rainwater. Understanding the behavior of acids and their formation is important for grasping the implications of acid rain on the environment.