i) When SO2 is passed through water, sulphurous acid is formed. The aqueous solution of SO2 turns blue litmus red.
SO2+H2O⇌H2SO3
(ii) But when SO2 is passed through lime water, calcium sulphite (white ppt.) is formed, which reacts with excess SO2 to form calcium hydrogen sulphite.
The chemical equation for the reactions are:
Ca(OH)2+SO2=CaSO3+H2O
CaSO3+SO2+H2O=Ca(HSO3)2.