Balance the following reactions :

Cu + H₂SO₄→ CuSO₄ + SO₂↑ + H₂O

Balanced equation: Cu + 2H₂SO₄→ CuSO₄ + SO₂↑ + 2H₂O

Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation

Cu + H₂SO₄→ CuSO₄ + SO₂↑ + H₂O

Step 2: Compare the number of atoms of reactants with the number of atoms of products.

Step 3: Now, first we consider the element having unequal no. of atoms on both sides. Thus, first let us consider the oxygen atom. If we multiply 2 in the reactant (in H₂SO₄) and 2 in the product (in H₂O), we will get the equal number of oxygen atoms in both sides.

Step 4: Write the resulting equation:

Cu + 2H₂SO₄→ CuSO₄ + SO₂↑ + 2H₂O

Step 5: Now check whether the equation is balanced or not by comparing the atoms

We find that the equation is balanced now.

Step 6: Write down the final balanced equation:

Cu + 2H₂SO₄→ CuSO₄ + SO₂↑ + 2H₂O