Question

question 5 (1 point)
assign oxidation numbers to so₂.
s -
o -

Explanation:

Step1: Recall oxidation - number rules for oxygen

Oxygen usually has an oxidation number of - 2 in compounds.

Step2: Set up an equation for the sum of oxidation numbers

Let the oxidation number of S be \(x\). In \(SO_{2}\), there is 1 S atom and 2 O atoms. The sum of oxidation numbers in a neutral compound is 0. So, \(x+2\times(- 2)=0\).

Step3: Solve for the oxidation number of S

\[

$$\begin{align*} x - 4&=0\\ x&= + 4 \end{align*}$$

\]

Answer:

S - +4, O - -2