Question

What is ${\mathrm{SO}}_2\mathrm{and}{\mathrm{SO}}_3$?

Answer 1

1. Sulphur oxides are chemical compounds that are entirely inorganic in nature and made up of Sulphur and Oxygen.
2. The most common Sulphur oxides are Sulphur dioxide and Sulphur trioxide.

Part 1: Sulphur dioxide

1. The chemical formula of Sulphur dioxide is ${\mathrm{SO}}_2$.
2. Sulphur dioxide is a colourless gas and is completely soluble in water.
3. Long exposure to this gas can create disastrous conditions for living things.
4. Sulphur dioxide is acidic in nature and works as a strong reducing agent.
5. It is used as preservatives for fruits, as germicides, sugar industries for refining the cane sugar.

Part 2: Sulphur trioxide

1. The chemical formula of Sulphur trioxide is ${\mathrm{SO}}_3$.
2. When Sulphur dioxide is oxidized then the formation of Sulphur trioxide occurs.
3. Sulphur trioxide is colorless liquid and is highly reactive in nature when it reacts with water.
4. Dissolution of Sulphur trioxide in water forms Sulphuric acid.
5. Sulphur trioxide significantly shows a strong oxidizing effect.
6. It is used as the bleaching agent, and reagent in sulfonation reaction, and manufacturing of photoelectric cells.