Let's balance the chemical equation for the reaction between sulfur (S) and nitric acid (HNO₃) to produce sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and water (H₂O):

Unbalanced Equation:

S + HNO₃ → SO₂ + NO₂ + H₂O

Balancing Steps:

1. Sulfur (S): The sulfur is already balanced (one atom on each side).

2. Hydrogen (H): There is one hydrogen on the left and two on the right. Place a coefficient of 2 in front of HNO₃:

S + 2 HNO₃ → SO₂ + NO₂ + H₂O

3. Nitrogen (N): Now there are two nitrogen atoms on the left and one on the right. Place a coefficient of 2 in front of NO₂:

S + 2 HNO₃ → SO₂ + 2 NO₂ + H₂O

4. Oxygen (O): We have six oxygen atoms on the left and six on the right. The equation is now balanced.

Balanced Equation:

S + 2 HNO₃ → SO₂ + 2 NO₂ + H₂O

Important Note: This reaction is a redox reaction where sulfur is oxidized and nitrogen is reduced.