Balancing an equation with multiple solutions

[kriscomms]

I'm trying to balance the equation H₂S + CS₂ + O₂ = H₂O + SO₂ + CO₂

The solution I got is 2H₂S + CS₂ + 6O₂ = 2H₂O + 4SO₂ + CO₂

First, is this correct? Then the question is this:

A 10g mixture of H₂S and CS₂ was burned in oxygen to form a mixture of H₂O, SO₂ and CO₂. The dried mixture on being separated into its pure components yielded 0.275mol of SO₂ and 0.0774mol of CO₂. What mass of H₂S was there in the original mixture?

I tried calculating the mass of SO₂ and CO₂ and then, using those answers I tried calculating the moles of H₂S and CS₂ by taking the total mass and the total molar mass of H₂S and CS₂. But clearly that didn't that didn't work. What is the first step to solving this equation? (Tell me the first step and then let me try to go from there. If I need more help I'll be back.)

Thanks,

Kristina

[peter]

I'm trying to balance the equation H₂S + CS₂ + O₂ = H₂O + SO₂ + CO₂

The solution I got is 2H₂S + CS₂ + 6O₂ = 2H₂O + 4SO₂ + CO₂

First, is this correct? Then the question is this:

A 10g mixture of H₂S and CS₂ was burned in oxygen to form a mixture of H₂O, SO₂ and CO₂. The dried mixture on being separated into its pure components yielded 0.275mol of SO₂ and 0.0774mol of CO₂. What mass of H₂S was there in the original mixture?

I tried calculating the mass of SO₂ and CO₂ and then, using those answers I tried calculating the moles of H₂S and CS₂ by taking the total mass and the total molar mass of H₂S and CS₂. But clearly that didn't that didn't work. What is the first step to solving this equation? (Tell me the first step and then let me try to go from there. If I need more help I'll be back.)

Thanks,

Kristina

You have two independent reactions:

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CS2 + 3 O2 = CO2 + 2 SO2

and

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2 H2S + 3 O2 = 2 H2O + 2 SO2