In the reaction below and state what is being oxidized and what is being reduced? SO2 + O2 → SO3

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 8, 2018

Sulfur is oxidized, and oxygen gas is REDUCED...

Explanation:

And the equation should be properly balanced...

#stackrel(""^+IV)SO_2(g) + 1/2stackrel(0)O_2(g) rarr stackrel(""^+VI)Sstackrel(""^(-)II)O_3(g)#...

The oxidation numbers are superscripted...as always electron loss is equivalent to electron gain...

Just to add that sulfur has a very large redox manifold....we could make #S^(-II)#, #S^(-I)#, #S^(0)#, #S^(IV+)#, #S^(VI+)#

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