Calculate the oxidation number of sulfur in each of the foll

Calculate the oxidation number of sulfur in each of the following: A) S8 B)SO4^-2 C)HSO3^- D)S2O3^-2 E)SO2

A) S8

free state atoms are molecules oxidation number is zero

The oxidation number of sulfur in S8 is zero

B)SO4^-2

oxidation number of oxigen in compounds is -2

x+ (-2*4) = -2

x = +6

The oxidation number of sulfur in SO4^2- is +6

C)HSO3^-

oxidation number of hydrogen is +1 in compounds

oxidation number of oxygen is -2 in compounds

+1+x+ (-2*3) = -1

x = +4

The oxidation number of sulfur in HSO3^- is +4

D)S2O3^-2

2x+ (-2*3) = -2

The oxidation number of sulfur in S2O3^2- is +2

E)SO2

x+ (-2*2) = 0

x -4 = 0

x = +4

The oxidation number of sulfur in SO2 is +4