H2S + SO2 = H2O + S help balancing?

Both H₂S and SO₂ are acidic gases. Then, assume the reaction undergoes in an acidic medium.

Oxidation half equation : H₂S → 2H⁺ + S + 2e⁻ ...... [1]
Reduction half equation : SO₂ + 4H⁺ + 4e⁻ → 2H₂O + S ...... [2]

[1]×2 + [2]:
2H₂S + SO₂ + 4H⁺ + 4e⁻ → 2H₂O + S + 4H⁺ + 2S + 4e⁻

Cancel 4H⁺ and 4e⁻ on the both sides. the overall balanced equation is :
2H₂S + SO₂ → 2H₂O + 3S

H2S + SO2 = H2O + S

You need 2 sulfurs and 2 oxygens on the right, so try just doing that, first:

H2S + SO2 = 2H2O + 2S

Now you need more hydrogen on the left:

2H2S + SO2 = 2H2O + 2S

Oops, looks like you now need more sulfur on the right, but that s OK, you can easily balance that out because it stands alone:

2H2S + SO2 = 2H2O + 3S

H2S + SO2 --> H2O + S
s*2- --- s + 2e- <<< X2 ... 2s2- --> 2s + 4e-
s 4+ + 4e- --> s

2H2S + SO2 --> 2H2O + 3S <<< answer