What is the oxidation number of each atom in sulfuric acid, H
SO
? a. H = +1, S = +6, O = -2 b. H = 0, S = +6, O = -2 c. H = 0, S = 0, O = 0 d. H = +1, S = +4, O = -2 e. H = -1, S = +8, O = -2
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is a. H = +1, S = +6, O = -2.
Explanation:
To determine the oxidation numbers of the elements in sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄, we follow these steps:
- Oxidation number of hydrogen (H):
- Hydrogen generally has an oxidation number of +1 when it is bonded with nonmetals. In H₂SO₄, hydrogen is bonded to oxygen, a nonmetal, so its oxidation number is +1.
- Oxidation number of oxygen (O):
- Oxygen typically has an oxidation number of -2 in most compounds, unless it is in peroxides or bonded to fluorine. In H₂SO₄, each oxygen atom is bonded to sulfur or hydrogen, so the oxidation number of oxygen is -2.
- Oxidation number of sulfur (S):
- To determine the oxidation number of sulfur, we use the fact that the sum of all oxidation numbers in a neutral molecule must be zero.
- The molecule has 2 hydrogen atoms (each with an oxidation number of +1), 4 oxygen atoms (each with an oxidation number of -2), and one sulfur atom, which we need to solve for.
- (2 × +1) + (4 × -2) = +2 – 8 = -6.
- Sulfur: +6, Hydrogen: +2, Oxygen: -8.
- +6 + 2 – 8 = 0.
Thus, the oxidation numbers are:
- H = +1
- S = +6
- O = -2
This confirms that the correct answer is a. H = +1, S = +6, O = -2.
