The equation for the reaction is

2S(g) + 3O2(g) ---> 2SO3(g)

Consider a mixture of sulfur atoms and dioxygen molecules in a closed container below:

For each of the following explain why the representation is correct or incorrect. (Click on a diagram for an answer.)

In this diagram at least the container has the correct product, SO3. But the problem is there is too much product. The original diagram above shows 6 molecules of dioxygen, for a total of twelve atoms. This digram shows 18 atoms of oxygen. There are too many oxygen atoms!