When iron pyrite (FeS2) is heated in air, the process known as "roasting" forms sulfur dioxide and iron(III) oxide. When the equation for this process is completed and balanced, using the smallest whole number coefficients, what is the coefficient for "O2"?

___ FeS2 + ___ O2 → ___ SO2 + ___ Fe2O3

The coefficient of O₂ using the smallest whole number coefficients is 11

From the question,

We are to determine the smallest whole number coefficient for O₂.

To determine this,

We will write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction using the smallest whole number coefficients possible

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is

4 FeS₂ + 11 O₂ → 8 SO₂ + 2 Fe₂O₃

This is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction using the smallest whole number coefficients possible

From the balanced chemical equation, the coefficient of O₂ is 11

Hence, the coefficient of O₂ using the smallest whole number coefficients is 11

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The coefficient of O2 is 11

Explanation:

Step 1:

The equation for the reaction:

FeS2 + O2 → SO2 + Fe2O3

Step 2:

Balancing the equation. The equation can be balance as follow:

FeS2 + O2 → SO2 + Fe2O3

There are 2 atoms of Fe on the right side and 1 atom on the left. It can be balance by putting 2 in front of FeS2 as shown below:

2FeS2 + O2 → SO2 + Fe2O3

There are 4 atoms of S on the left side and 1 atom on the right side. It can be balance by putting 4 in front of SO2 as shown below:

2FeS2 + O2 → 4SO2 + Fe2O3

Now, there are a total of 11 atoms of O on the right side and 2 atoms on the left side. It can be balance by putting 11/2 in front of O2 as shown below:

2FeS2 + 11/2O2 → 4SO2 + Fe2O3

Multiply through by 2 to clear the fraction as shown below:

4FeS2 + 11O2 → 8SO2 + 2Fe2O3

Now the equation is balanced.

The coefficient of O2 is 11