HgS + O2 → HgO + SO2

What are the coefficients that should be added to balance this equation? Use complete sentences to explain your answer.

Explain how this chemical reaction demonstrates the conservation of mass.

2HgS + 3O2 → 2HgO + 2SO2

The coefficients are: 2, 3, 2, 2

Explanation:

HgS + O2 → HgO + SO2

The equation can be balance as follow:

Put 3 in front of O2 as shown below:

HgS + 3O2 → HgO + SO2

Now we can see that there are 6 atoms of O on the left side of the equation and a total of 3 atoms on the right side. It can be balance by putting 2 in front of HgO and SO2 as shown below:

HgS + 3O2 → 2HgO + 2SO2

Now we have 2 atoms of both Hg and S on the right side and 1atom each on the left. It can be balance by putting 2 in front of HgS as shown below:

2HgS + 3O2 → 2HgO + 2SO2

Now the equation is balanced.

The coefficients are: 2, 3, 2, 2

The law of conservation of mass (matter) states that matter (mass) can neither be created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction but changes from one form to another. An unbalanced equation suggests that matter has been created or destroyed. While a balanced equation proofs that matter can never be created but changes to different form. This is the more reason we have count the atoms of an element on both side of the equation to see if they are balanced irrespective of the new form they assume in the product