Table of contents

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