Question

The oxidation number of sulfur in sulphuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$ is?

Answer 1

Oxidation number

• "Oxidation number denotes the oxidation state of an element in a compound ascertained according to a set of rules formulated on the basis that electron pair in a covalent bond belongs entirely to a more electronegative element."

Oxidation number of sulfur in sulphuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$

• The oxidation number of oxygen in sulphuric acid is $-2$.
• Consider the oxidation number of sulfur is $x$.
• $$\begin{gathered} \left(+1\times 2\right)+x+\left(-2\times 4\right)=0 \\ 2+x-8=0 \\ x=+6 \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the oxidation number of sulfur in sulphuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$is $+6$.