What is the average oxidation number of sulfur in ?
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Solution
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."
"If two or more than two atoms of an element are present in the molecule/ion such as , the oxidation number of the atom of that element will then be the average of the oxidation number of all the atoms of that element."
Average oxidation number of sulfur in
Consider the average oxidation number of sulfur is .
The oxidation number of oxygen (O) is . So, the average oxidation number of sulfur (S) in is as follows:-
Hence, the average oxidation number of sulfur in is .