Reaction between potassium dichromate and sulphur dioxide gas??
The reaction between potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas can be explained as follows:
1. Write down the balanced equation:
K2Cr2O7 + 3SO2 + H2SO4 → Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + H2O
2. Identify the reactants and products:
Reactants: potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas.
Products: chromium(III) sulfate (Cr2(SO4)3), potassium sulfate (K2SO4), and water (H2O).
3. Understand the reaction:
In this reaction, potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) acts as an oxidizing agent, while sulfur dioxide (SO2) is reduced to chromium(III) sulfate (Cr2(SO4)3). The reaction is typically carried out in the presence of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) as a catalyst.
4. Reaction mechanism:
The sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) reacts with the potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) in the presence of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) as follows:
- The dichromate ion (Cr2O7 2-) is reduced to chromium(III) ions (Cr3+).
- The sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) is oxidized to sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
5. Steps to balance the equation:
To balance the equation, you need to adjust the coefficients of the reactants and products. Here's a step-by-step balancing process:
- Balance the number of potassium (K) atoms.
- Balance the number of chromium (Cr) atoms.
- Balance the number of sulfur (S) atoms.
- Balance the number of oxygen (O) atoms.
- Finally, balance the hydrogen (H) atoms by adding water (H2O) molecules.
Remember, it's crucial to follow proper lab safety precautions and consult reliable sources for experiment instructions before attempting any chemical reactions.
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https://socratic.org/questions/write-a-balanced-ionic-equation-to-represent-the-reaction-between-sulfur-dioxide