What is the oxidation number of sulfur in an HSO4- ion?

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Answer 1 · 2015-10-26T11:02:11

#S^"+6"#

Some knowledge in oxidation numbers and algebra is in order.

For H atom, the most common oxidation state is +1.
For O atom, the most common oxidation state is -2.

Substituting #HSO_4^-# with its oxidation state values we have:

#(+1) + x + [(-2) * (4)] = -1#, where #x# = unknown

#(+1) + x + (-8) = -1#

#x + (-7) = -1#

#x = -1 + (+7)#

#x = +6#

Therefore, the correct answer is #S^"+6"#