Question

Find oxidation number of S in $PbS{O}_4$.

Answer 1

${PbSO}_4\to {Pb}^{2+}{\left[{SO}_4\right]}^{2-}$

Let the oxidation state of $S$ be $x$

The oxidation state of $O$ is -2

Therefore, for ${\left[{SO}_4\right]}^{2-}\Rightarrow x+4(-2)=-2$

$\therefore x-8=-2$

$\therefore x=+6$

Therefore, the oxidation number of $S$ in ${PbSO}_4$ is +6.