Question

sulfuryl chloride is a substance used to make chemicals for killing insects. it breaks down over time into sulfur dioxide and chlorine gas.
consider the following reaction:
some amount of sulfuryl chloride (so₂cl₂) breaks down to produce 2 molecules of sulfur dioxide (so₂) and 2 molecules of chlorine (cl₂).
complete the table below.

chemical element	number of atoms in the reaction
s
cl

during this reaction, how many molecules of sulfuryl chloride (so₂cl₂) react?

Explanation:

Part 1: Completing the table (O, S, Cl atoms)

Step 1: Analyze Oxygen (O) atoms

• From \( SO_2 \): Each \( SO_2 \) has 2 O atoms, and there are 2 \( SO_2 \) molecules. So O atoms from \( SO_2 \): \( 2 \times 2 = 4 \).
• \( SO_2Cl_2 \) and \( Cl_2 \) have no O atoms. So total O atoms: \( 4 \).

Step 2: Analyze Sulfur (S) atoms

• From \( SO_2 \): Each \( SO_2 \) has 1 S atom, 2 \( SO_2 \) molecules. So S atoms from \( SO_2 \): \( 2 \times 1 = 2 \).
• \( Cl_2 \) has no S atoms. By conservation, S in \( SO_2Cl_2 \) must equal S in products. So total S atoms: \( 2 \).

Step 3: Analyze Chlorine (Cl) atoms

• From \( Cl_2 \): Each \( Cl_2 \) has 2 Cl atoms, 2 \( Cl_2 \) molecules. So Cl atoms from \( Cl_2 \): \( 2 \times 2 = 4 \).
• \( SO_2 \) has no Cl atoms. By conservation, Cl in \( SO_2Cl_2 \) must equal Cl in products. So total Cl atoms: \( 4 \).

Part 2: Molecules of \( SO_2Cl_2 \) reacting

Step 1: Use S atom conservation

• Each \( SO_2Cl_2 \) has 1 S atom. Total S atoms in products: 2 (from Part 1). So number of \( SO_2Cl_2 \) molecules: \( \frac{\text{Total S atoms}}{\text{S per } SO_2Cl_2} = \frac{2}{1} = 2 \).
• Verify with Cl: Each \( SO_2Cl_2 \) has 2 Cl atoms. 2 molecules give \( 2 \times 2 = 4 \) Cl atoms (matches Part 1).
• Verify with O: Each \( SO_2Cl_2 \) has 2 O atoms. 2 molecules give \( 2 \times 2 = 4 \) O atoms (matches Part 1).

Table Completion:

Chemical element	Number of atoms in the reaction
S	2
Cl	4

Molecules of \( SO_2Cl_2 \): 2

Answer:

s:

• O atoms: \( \boldsymbol{4} \)
• S atoms: \( \boldsymbol{2} \)
• Cl atoms: \( \boldsymbol{4} \)
• Molecules of \( SO_2Cl_2 \): \( \boldsymbol{2} \)