A particular coal contains 2.55% sulfur by mass. When the coal is burned, it produces SO2 emissions which combine with rainwater to produce sulfuric acid.

Question

Determine how much sulfuric acid (in metric tons) is produced by the combustion of 1.1 metric ton of this coal. (A metric ton is 1000kg .)

Answer 1

1.1 metric tons coal x 0.0255 = metric tons S.
S + O2 ==> SO2

2SO2 + O2 --> 2SO3

SO3 + H2O ==> H2SO4

Using the coefficients in the balanced equation, convert metric tons S to metric tons H2SO4