This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
S0 + 2 e- → S-II (reduction)
Ni0 - 2 e- → NiII (oxidation)
S is an oxidizing agent, Ni is a reducing agent.
Word equation
mixed sulfur + nickel → nickel(II) sulfide
Input interpretation
S + Ni → SNi
Mixed sulfur nickel nickel(II) sulfide
Balanced equation
Balance the chemical equation algebraically:
S + Ni → SNi
Add stoichiometric coefficients, c1, to the reactants and products:
c1S + c2Ni → c3SNi
Set the number of atoms in the reactants equal to the number of atoms in the products for S and Ni:
S: c1 = c3
Ni: c2 = c3
Since the coefficients are relative quantities and underdetermined, choose a coefficient to set arbitrarily. To keep the coefficients small, the arbitrary value is ordinarily one. For instance, set c1 = 1 and solve the system of equations for the remaining coefficients:
c1 = 1
c2 = 1
c3 = 1
Substitute the coefficients into the chemical reaction to obtain the balanced
equation:
Answer:
S + Ni → SNi
