Calculate the oxidation number for sulfur in the following polyatomic ions: (a) SO3^2- (b) HSO4

step 1 In this question, we have to calculate the oxidation number for sulfur in the following polyatom

Calculate the oxidation number for sulfur in the following...

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Key Concepts

Oxidation State

The oxidation state (or oxidation number) is a conceptual charge that an atom would have if all bonds it formed were purely ionic. It reflects the degree of electron loss or gain relative to the elemental state, helping chemists track electron transfer in redox reactions.

Rules for Assigning Oxidation Numbers

There is a set of conventions used to assign oxidation numbers to atoms in chemical compounds. These include assigning specific oxidation numbers to certain elements (like hydrogen being +1 and oxygen being -2 in most cases), and ensuring that the sum of oxidation numbers in a neutral compound is zero, or equals the overall charge in an ion.

Polyatomic Ions

Polyatomic ions are ions that consist of two or more atoms covalently bonded together, acquiring a net charge. When calculating oxidation numbers within these ions, the sum of the oxidation states of all atoms must equal the ion's overall charge.

Charge Balancing in Oxidation Number Calculations

During the process of calculating oxidation numbers, it is essential to ensure that the sum of the oxidation states of the atoms in a molecule or ion exactly equals the molecule’s overall electrical charge. This concept of charge balance allows for the systematic calculation of unknown oxidation states when combined with known oxidation numbers of other atoms.

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