Question

What is the oxidation Number of sulfur in `SO_2` and `SO_3`?

Answer 1

+4 and +6

Explanation:

Total oxidation number of atoms in a compound is zero.

The more electronegative element exhibits its typical oxidation number, so in this case oxygen is the more electronegative element, so it exhibits oxidation number -2.

Therefore in `SO_2` the oxidation number of sulphur is `0 - (2.-2) = - (-4) = 4`

And in `SO_3` using the same calculation it equates to 6.