what is the oxidation number for sulfur in K2S2O8
http://www.chemteam.info/Redox/Redox-Rules.html
+14
To determine the oxidation number of sulfur (S) in a compound, we can assign oxidation numbers based on a set of rules:
1. The oxidation number of an element in its elemental form is always zero. Since sulfur (S) is not in its elemental form in K2S2O8, this rule does not apply.
2. The sum of the oxidation numbers in a compound is zero. Since K2S2O8 is a neutral compound, the sum of the oxidation numbers must be zero.
Let's assign the oxidation number for each element:
1. The oxidation number of potassium (K) is +1. Since there are 2 potassium ions (K+) in the compound, the total oxidation number of potassium is +2.
2. The oxidation number of oxygen (O) is typically -2. Since there are 8 oxygen atoms in K2S2O8, the total oxidation number of oxygen is -16.
Now, let's calculate the oxidation number for sulfur (S):
Let x be the oxidation number of sulfur.
The sum of the oxidation numbers must be zero:
(+2) + x + (-16) = 0
Simplifying the equation:
+2 + x - 16 = 0
Combine like terms:
x - 14 = 0
Add 14 to both sides:
x = 14
Therefore, the oxidation number of sulfur (S) in K2S2O8 is +6.
To determine the oxidation number of sulfur (S) in K2S2O8, we need to apply a set of rules. Here's how you can determine it step-by-step:
1. Determine the oxidation number of potassium (K). Potassium is an alkali metal, which always has an oxidation number of +1 (group 1 elements).
2. Oxygen (O) generally has an oxidation number of -2, except in peroxides (like H2O2) where its oxidation number is -1.
3. The sum of the oxidation numbers in a compound must equal zero. Since K2S2O8 is a neutral compound, the sum of the oxidation numbers is zero.
With these rules in mind, let's proceed:
Since each potassium atom (K) has an oxidation number of +1, and there are two potassium atoms present, the total oxidation number from potassium is +2 (+1 x 2).
Since oxygen (O) usually has an oxidation number of -2, and there are eight oxygen atoms, the total oxidation number from oxygen is -16 (-2 x 8).
The sum of the oxidation numbers from potassium and oxygen is:
(+2) + (-16) = -14.
To find the oxidation number of sulfur (S), we subtract the sum of the oxidation numbers from the overall sum of zero:
0 - (-14) = +14.
Therefore, the oxidation number of sulfur (S) in K2S2O8 is +14.