Chapter 4: Q4.58P (page 180)

Describe how to determine the oxidation number of sulfur in
(a) $H_{2} S$ and (b) ${S O}_{3}^{- 2}$

Short Answer

Expert verified

The oxidation number of sulfur in

(a) $H_{2} S i s (- 2)$

(b) $S O_{3}^{- 2} i s (+ 4)$

Step by step solution

Defineoxidation number

Each atom in a molecule (or ionic compound) is assigned an oxidation number (O.N.), or oxidation state, the charge the atom would have if electrons were not shared but were transferred completely.

The oxidation number for each element in a binary ionic compound equals the ionic charge.

Determine oxidation number of S in H2S

a. In the sulfur atom is bonded with two hydrogen atoms with a single bond, since these hydrogensare less electronegative than sulfur which means the dipole moment is shifting towards the sulfur atom and we add a -1 charge tothe sulfur atomfrom each from two hydrogen atom.

Let the oxidation number of sulphur be x.

$(2 \times 1) + x = 0 x = - 2$

Hence in $H_{2} S$ sulfur has a -2 oxidation number.

Determine oxidation number of S in SO3-2

(b) The charge on one oxygen atom is -2. The oxidation number of sulphur in $S O_{3}^{- 2}$ is calculated below.

Let the oxidation number of sulphur be x.

Since, the molecule has a charge of -2

$\begin{array}{rcl} x + (- 2 \times 3) & = & - 2 \\ x + (- 6) & = & - 2 \\ x & = & 6 - 2 \\ x & = & 4 \end{array}$

Thus, according to its structure oxidation number of sulfur indata-custom-editor="chemistry" ${SO}_{3}^{- 2}$ is +4.

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Describe how to determine the oxidation number of sulfur in
(a) $H_{2} S$ and (b) ${S O}_{3}^{- 2}$

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Defineoxidation number

Determine oxidation number of S in H2S

Determine oxidation number of S in SO3-2

One App. One Place for Learning.

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Describe how to determine the oxidation number of sulfur in(a) H2S and (b)SO3-2

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Defineoxidation number

Determine oxidation number of S in H2S

Determine oxidation number of S in SO3-2

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Nuclear Chemistry

Chemistry Branches

Inorganic Chemistry

Physical Chemistry

Kinetics

The Earths Atmosphere

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Describe how to determine the oxidation number of sulfur in
(a) $H_{2} S$ and (b) ${S O}_{3}^{- 2}$