Why do we not represent elemental sulfur as S_8S8?

1 Answer
May 20, 2017

Because the arithmetic is easier?

Explanation:

We could write..........

2H_2S(g) + SO_2(g) rarr 3/8S_8 +2H_2O2H2S(g)+SO2(g)38S8+2H2O

for the "comproportionation reaction"comproportionation reaction. Is it balanced with respect to mass and charge? Don't trust my 'rithmetic. But sulfur is an insoluble beast, that is poorly soluble in just about everything. And if you use a fractional coefficient, you might die! How would you remove the fractional coefficient?