Balance the following redox reaction that takes place in acidic solution: H2S(aq) + NO3- (aq) +   →   S8(s) + NO(g) +

Sure, here are the steps to balance the redox reaction:

Step 1: Separate the reaction into two half-reactions:

Oxidation: H2S -> S8 Reduction: NO3- -> NO

Step 2: Balance all atoms except H and O:

Oxidation: 8H2S -> S8 Reduction: NO3- -> NO

Step 3: Balance the O atoms by adding H2O:

Reduction: NO3- -> NO + 2H2O

Step 4: Balance the H atoms by adding H+:

Reduction: NO3- + 4H+ -> NO + 2H2O

Step 5: Balance the charges by adding electrons:

Oxidation: 8H2S -> S8 + 16H+ + 16e- Reduction: NO3- + 4H+ + 3e- -> NO + 2H2O

Step 6: Make the number of electrons in the two half-reactions equal:

Oxidation: 8H2S -> S8 + 16H+ + 16e- Reduction: 5NO3- + 20H+ + 15e- -> 5NO + 10H2O

Step 7: Add the two half-reactions together and simplify:

8H2S + 5NO3- + 20H+ -> S8 + 16H+ + 16e- + 5NO + 10H2O + 20H+ + 15e-

Simplify to:

8H2S + 5NO3- -> S8 + 5NO + 14H2O

So, the balanced redox reaction is:

8H2S(aq) + 5NO3-(aq) -> S8(s) + 5NO(g) + 14H2O(l)