What is the stoichiometric coefficient of SO ₂ in the following balance reaction? MnO ₄⁻(a q)+ SO ₂(g) Mn ²⁺(a q)+ HSO ₄⁻(a q) (in acidic solution)

Step-by-step solution

Oxidation half reaction: SO ₂( ~g )+2 H ₂ O (l) HSO ₄⁻(a q)+3 H ⁺(a q)+2 e⁻...(i) Reduction half reaction: MnO ₄⁻(a q)+8 H ⁺+5 e⁻ Mn ²⁺(a q)+4 H ₂ O (l)...(ii) Multiply eq. (i) by 5 and (ii) by 2 and then add aligned 2 MnO ₄⁻(a q)+5 SO ₂(g) & +2 H ₂ O (l)+ H ⁺(a q) & 2 Mn ⁺(a q)+5 HSO ₄⁻(a q) aligned Thus, the stoichiometric coefficient of SO ₂ in the above balance equation is 5 .