What are the sulfur oxidation numbers in #SO_3(g)# and #SO(g)#?

Answer 1

We gots #"sulfur(VI+)"# versus #"sulfur(+II)"#..........

Given the standard rules for assigning oxidation numbers, oxygen generally assumes states of #stackrel(-II)O#, and hydrogen #stackrel(+I)H#, and it does for these molecules.

Consequently, for sulfuric acid, the charge on the molecule is equal to the sum of the oxidation numbers.

#0=2xx+I+4xx-II+S_"oxidation number"#. Clearly, #S_"oxidation number"=+VI#.

And likewise we gots #stackrel(+II)S# in #SO#. #"Sulfur monoxide"# is an exceptionally rare beast.

What about the oxidation numbers in #H_2SO_3#, #SO_3#, and #SO_2#?

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Answer 2

Mateo Aguilar

In SO₃(g), sulfur has an oxidation number of +6. In SO(g), sulfur has an oxidation number of +4.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.