How would you balance the following equation: S+HNO3 --> H2SO4+NO2+H2O?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 27, 2016

By a redox reaction. Sulfur is oxidized to sulfate; nitrate is reduced to nitric oxide:

S(s) + 6NO_3^(-) + 4H^+ rarr 6NO_2(g)uarr + 2H_2O(l) + SO_4^(2-)

Explanation:

Reduction:
NO_3^(-) + 2H^(+) +e^(-) rarr NO_2(g)uarr + H_2O (i)

Oxidation:
S(s) + 4H_2O(l) rarr SO_4^(2-) + 8H^+ + 6e^- (ii)

(ii) + 6xx(i) = S(s) + 4HNO_3(aq) + 2NO_3^(-) rarr 6NO_2(g)uarr + 2H_2O(l) + SO_4^(2-)

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