Q4.67P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

Give the oxidation number of sulfur in the following:

$$\begin{gathered} \left(a\right)SOC{l}_2 \\ \left(b\right)H_2{S}_2 \\ \left(c\right)H_{2}S{O}_3 \\ \left(d\right)N{a}_{2}S \end{gathered}$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

You need to provide the oxidation number of sulfur for the given compounds.

Step 1: Oxidation state of sulfur in SOCl 2

The oxidation state of oxygen is -2.

The oxidation state of chlorine is -1.

Let, oxidation state of sulfur in SOCl₂ is x.

No, you can write,

  $$\begin{gathered} x+\left(-2\right)+2\left(-1\right)=0 \\ x=+4 \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the oxidation state of sulfur in SOCl₂ is +4.

Step 2: Oxidation state of sulfur in H 2 S 2

Oxidation state of Hydrogen is +1.

Let, oxidation state of sulfur in H₂S₂ is y.

No you can write,

  $$\begin{gathered} 2\left(+1\right)+2y=0 \\ 2y=-2 \\ y=-1 \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the oxidation state of sulfur in H₂S₂ is -1.

Step 3: Oxidation state of sulfur in H 2 SO 3

Oxidation state of Hydrogen is +1.

Oxidation state of Oxygen is -2.

Let, oxidation state of sulfur in H₂SO₃ is z.

No you can write,

  $$\begin{gathered} 2\left(+1\right)+z+3\left(-2\right)=0 \\ z=+4 \end{gathered}$$

Hence, oxidation state of sulfur in H₂SO₃ is +4.

Step 4: Oxidation state of sulfur in Na 2 S

Oxidation state of Sodium is +1.

Let, oxidation state of sulfur in Na₂S is k.

No you can write,

  $$\begin{gathered} 2\left(+1\right)+k=0 \\ k=-2 \end{gathered}$$

Hence, oxidation state of sulfur in Na₂S is -2.