Raj (11-04-2013)
Sulfur Dioxide is slowly oxidised in the atmosphere to form sulfur trioxide
I have to make a word + balanced equation for this
I put
SO2 + O2 -> SO3
???
Am I on the right track? IDK
Last edited by Maki; 11-17-2013 at 01:47 PM.
Raj (11-04-2013)
Hm, the answer I get is YX3....
---------- Post added at 04:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:37 PM ----------
I can explain the rational to that if you want...
Maki (11-04-2013)
Element Y has 7 valence electrons. A full shell is 8 electrons. So Element Y needs 1 more electron to create a full valence shell.
Element X has 3 valence electrons. This means it has a full valence beneath the outer shell, and then it has 3 extra electrons in its outer shell. It is most likely to donate 3 of its electrons to become stable.
If Element Y needs 1 electron, three Y's will need 3 electrons. One X will provide 3 electrons necessary for the Ys. This is why the formula would be XY3.
I'm pretty sure that's the correct explanation.
Maki (11-04-2013)
Oh that makes sense!
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Lavendrae again.
UGH
I'll rep you soon, I promise!
Mind explaining why Ana's explanation isn't right, then? It was along my same train of thought
[7:41:40 PM] Ana Banana:each element wants a full set of 8
X is going to look for 1 more electron
Y wants to give away it's extra 3 because it's easier to give away 3 than go looking for 5 more
[7:41:46 PM] Ana Banana: Y is going to meet the first X, and give away one. That makes the X happy with a full set of 8, but Y still has two more extra ones.
[7:42:18 PM | Edited 7:42:30 PM] Ana Banana: So it goes looking for 2 more Xs to give away the last two. In total it'll have met up with 3 different Xs
[7:42:28 PM] ky: you need 3 xs to make the y completely stable
[7:42:31 PM] ky: yeah haha
oh you're right xD
I mixed up the variables xD
---------- Post added at 05:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:15 PM ----------
[11/4/13 4:39:44 PM] Ana Banana: mkay
[11/4/13 4:39:55 PM] Ana Banana: "X has 7 valence electrons, and element Y has 3"
[11/4/13 4:40:03 PM] ky: oh hmm it seems i didnt switch em up
^your original post had it the other way around.
BUUUMP NEED HALp
What do you mean by 'make a word'?
If your equation is SO2 + O2 -> SO3 then to balance it you'd just make it 2SO2 + O2 -> 2SO3