Burning Coal That Contains Sulfur Releases Sulfur Dioxide Gas into the Atmosphere

Multiple Choice

Burning coal that contains sulfur releases sulfur dioxide gas into the atmosphere, where it combines with water to form sulfurous and sulfuric acid, thereby producing acid rain. Assume sulfur in coal is in the form of pyrite (FeS₂(s) ) , which reacts with molecular oxygen to produce Fe₂O₃(s) and SO₂(g) . Write the balanced equation for this reaction and report the sum of the stoichiometric coefficients, written as integers.

A) 16
B) 14
C) 23
D) 25
E) 18