Consider the decomposition of aluminum sulfide into aluminum metal and solid S₈ (one of the forms of sulfur). You’ve determined the compound formed between aluminum and sulfur will be Al₂S₃. This compound decomposes to form solid aluminum and sulfur (as S₈). Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The decomposition of aluminum sulfide (Al₂S₃) into aluminum metal and sulfur (S₈) can be represented by the following balanced chemical equation:
2 Al₂S₃ (s) → 4 Al (s) + 3 S₈ (s)
Explanation:
To balance this equation, we start by ensuring that the number of atoms of each element on the left-hand side equals the number of atoms on the right-hand side.
- Aluminum (Al):
- On the left side, each Al₂S₃ molecule contains 2 atoms of aluminum.
- On the right side, we have 4 aluminum atoms (from 4 Al).
- To balance aluminum, we need 2 molecules of Al₂S₃, which provides 4 aluminum atoms on the left.
- Sulfur (S):
- Each Al₂S₃ molecule contains 3 sulfur atoms, so 2 Al₂S₃ molecules will contain a total of 6 sulfur atoms.
- Sulfur, however, is present as S₈ on the right side, and each S₈ molecule contains 8 sulfur atoms.
- To balance sulfur, we need to make sure the total sulfur atoms match on both sides. Since we have 6 sulfur atoms on the left, we need to divide this by 8 and balance by adjusting the coefficient of S₈. Thus, 3 molecules of S₈ will give us 24 sulfur atoms.
Conclusion:
The decomposition of Al₂S₃ results in aluminum metal and sulfur in its S₈ form. The balanced equation ensures that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the reaction.
