Question

What is the oxidation state of sulfur in ${\mathrm{SO}}_2$?

Answer 1

Step 1: Oxidation State:

• “The number allotted to an element in a compound represents the number of electrons lost or gained by the atom of that element in the compound.”

Step 2: Calculations of the oxidation state of $\mathrm{S}$ in ${\mathrm{SO}}_2$:

• The oxidation state of Oxygen is $-2$
• Let the oxidation state of $\mathrm{S}$ be x, then

$$\begin{gathered} x+2(-2)=0 \\ x-4=0 \\ x=+4 \end{gathered}$$ (sum of all oxidation states is zero)

So, the Oxidation state of Sulfur is $+4$