Check this for me? question: when the ore lead (ii) sulfide burns in oxygen, the products are solid lead (ii) oxide and sulfur dioxide gas. my pbs (s) + o2 (g) --> pbo (s) + so2 (g) i wanted to know if i'm correct before i balance.

The answer is 
2PbS(s) + 3O2(g) = 2PbO(s) + 2SO2(g)

Your answer is not yet balanced because you have 3 oxygen atoms. it should be balanced by multiplying both side by 2 such as the balanced equation I made. To check it, I will explain why your answer is not yet balanced.

check: (from your equation)
 1-Pb-1
 1-S-1
2 -O-3
the difference between the reactant and the product of Oxygen will prove that it is not yet balanced.

If you use 2PbS(s) + 3O2(g) = 2PbO(s) + 2SO2(g), to check it:
2-Pb-2
 2-S-2
6 -O-6
then this is now balance

The gas would begin to expand, and eventually the can would burst or explode.

Variables,control,conclusion and finally scientific theory