Question

Give the formula of (a) an anion in which \(S\) has an oxidation number of -2 . (b) two anions in which \(S\) has an oxidation number of +4 . (c) two different acids of sulfur.

Short answer

Question: Identify the following sulfur species: (a) an anion where sulfur has an oxidation number of -2, (b) two anions where sulfur has an oxidation number of +4, and (c) two different acids of sulfur. Answer: (a) The anion with sulfur having an oxidation number of -2 is S²⁻ (sulfide ion). (b) Two anions with sulfur having an oxidation number of +4 are: 1. SO₄²⁻ (sulfate ion), 2. S₂O₃²⁻ (thiosulfate ion). (c) Two different acids of sulfur are: 1. H₂SO₃ (sulfurous acid), 2. H₂SO₄ (sulfuric acid).

Step-by-step solution

(a) Find an anion where sulfur has an oxidation number of -2

To find the anion where sulfur has an oxidation number of -2, we need to identify the element or elements it bonds with, and the number of electrons gained by sulfur. Recall that sulfur has 6 valence electrons and gains 2 electrons to reach a stable -2 oxidation state. When sulfur gains 2 electrons, it becomes sulfide ion (S²⁻).

Answer for (a)

The formula for the anion in which sulfur has an oxidation number of -2 is S²⁻ (sulfide ion).

(b) Find two anions where sulfur has an oxidation number of +4

To find two anions where sulfur has an oxidation number of +4, we need to identify the element or elements it bonds with, and the number of electrons sulfur loses or shares. In this case, sulfur will share its electrons to form oxyanions with oxygen. There are two such oxyanions of sulfur with an oxidation number of +4: sulfate (SO₄²⁻) and thiosulfate (S₂O₃²⁻).

Answer for (b)

The formulas for two anions in which sulfur has an oxidation number of +4 are: 1. SO₄²⁻ (sulfate ion) 2. S₂O₃²⁻ (thiosulfate ion)

(c) Find two different acids of sulfur

To find two different acids of sulfur, we can look at the oxyacids where sulfur is the central atom and is surrounded by oxygen and hydrogen atoms. Two common sulfur acids are sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).

Answer for (c)

The formulas for two different acids of sulfur are: 1. H₂SO₃ (sulfurous acid) 2. H₂SO₄ (sulfuric acid)