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 3 molecules of sulfur dioxide (so₂) and 3 molecules of chlorine (cl₂). complete the table below. chemical element | number of atoms in the reaction o | □ s | □ cl | □ during this reaction, how many molecules of sulfuryl chloride (so₂cl₂) react?

Explanation:

For the table (atoms count):

Step 1: Analyze Oxygen (O) atoms

Each $SO_2$ molecule has 2 O atoms, and there are 3 $SO_2$ molecules. So the number of O atoms is $3\times2 = 6$.

Step 2: Analyze Sulfur (S) atoms

Each $SO_2$ molecule has 1 S atom, and there are 3 $SO_2$ molecules. So the number of S atoms is $3\times1 = 3$.

Step 3: Analyze Chlorine (Cl) atoms

Each $Cl_2$ molecule has 2 Cl atoms, and there are 3 $Cl_2$ molecules. So the number of Cl atoms is $3\times2 = 6$.

For the number of $SO_2Cl_2$ molecules:

Step 1: Use conservation of atoms

In $SO_2Cl_2$, each molecule has 1 S, 2 O, and 2 Cl atoms. From the product side, we have 3 S atoms, 6 O atoms, and 6 Cl atoms.

• For S: Since each $SO_2Cl_2$ has 1 S, number of $SO_2Cl_2$ molecules for S is $3\div1 = 3$.
• For O: Each $SO_2Cl_2$ has 2 O, number of $SO_2Cl_2$ molecules for O is $6\div2 = 3$.
• For Cl: Each $SO_2Cl_2$ has 2 Cl, number of $SO_2Cl_2$ molecules for Cl is $6\div2 = 3$. So 3 molecules of $SO_2Cl_2$ react.

Table Answers:

• O: $\boldsymbol{6}$
• S: $\boldsymbol{3}$
• Cl: $\boldsymbol{6}$

Number of $SO_2Cl_2$ molecules:

$\boldsymbol{3}$

Answer:

For the table (atoms count):

Step 1: Analyze Oxygen (O) atoms

Each $SO_2$ molecule has 2 O atoms, and there are 3 $SO_2$ molecules. So the number of O atoms is $3\times2 = 6$.

Step 2: Analyze Sulfur (S) atoms

Each $SO_2$ molecule has 1 S atom, and there are 3 $SO_2$ molecules. So the number of S atoms is $3\times1 = 3$.

Step 3: Analyze Chlorine (Cl) atoms

Each $Cl_2$ molecule has 2 Cl atoms, and there are 3 $Cl_2$ molecules. So the number of Cl atoms is $3\times2 = 6$.

For the number of $SO_2Cl_2$ molecules:

Step 1: Use conservation of atoms

In $SO_2Cl_2$, each molecule has 1 S, 2 O, and 2 Cl atoms. From the product side, we have 3 S atoms, 6 O atoms, and 6 Cl atoms.

• For S: Since each $SO_2Cl_2$ has 1 S, number of $SO_2Cl_2$ molecules for S is $3\div1 = 3$.
• For O: Each $SO_2Cl_2$ has 2 O, number of $SO_2Cl_2$ molecules for O is $6\div2 = 3$.
• For Cl: Each $SO_2Cl_2$ has 2 Cl, number of $SO_2Cl_2$ molecules for Cl is $6\div2 = 3$. So 3 molecules of $SO_2Cl_2$ react.

Table Answers:

• O: $\boldsymbol{6}$
• S: $\boldsymbol{3}$
• Cl: $\boldsymbol{6}$

Number of $SO_2Cl_2$ molecules:

$\boldsymbol{3}$