To balance the given chemical equation, we need to determine the coefficients for each compound so that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation.
The equation is currently unbalanced, as the reactant side has one bromine (Br) atom, but the product side only has one bromine ion (Br-) in the HBr product. Additionally, the hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms are not balanced as well.
Let's balance the equation step by step:
1. Start with the unbalanced equation:
Br2(g) + ___H2O(l) + ___SO2(g) ---> ___HBr(aq) + ___H2SO4(aq)
2. Balance the bromine (Br) atoms by placing a coefficient of 2 in front of HBr:
Br2(g) + ___H2O(l) + ___SO2(g) ---> 2HBr(aq) + ___H2SO4(aq)
3. Next, balance the hydrogen (H) atoms. Since there are two hydrogen atoms in each HBr molecule, place a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O:
Br2(g) + 2H2O(l) + ___SO2(g) ---> 2HBr(aq) + ___H2SO4(aq)
4. Now, balance the oxygen (O) atoms. Currently, there are four oxygen atoms on the product side, two in HBr, and two in H2SO4. Add a coefficient of 2 in front of H2SO4 to balance the oxygen atoms:
Br2(g) + 2H2O(l) + ___SO2(g) ---> 2HBr(aq) + 2H2SO4(aq)
5. Finally, balance the sulfur (S) atoms. There is only one sulfur atom on the reactant side, so place a coefficient of 1 in front of SO2:
Br2(g) + 2H2O(l) + SO2(g) ---> 2HBr(aq) + 2H2SO4(aq)
The balanced equation is:
Br2(g) + 2H2O(l) + SO2(g) ---> 2HBr(aq) + 2H2SO4(aq)
Now the equation is balanced, with an equal number of atoms on both sides.