In which one of the following compounds is the oxidation number of S equal to +4? A)H₂S B)S₂Cl₂ C)MgSO₄ D)S₈ E)Na₂SO₃

Question

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In Na2SO3, the oxidation state of S is +4. This is determined by knowing that the oxidation state of Na is +1 (for each Na, contributing a total of +2) and that of oxygen is -2 (for each O, contributing a total of -6 for three oxygens). The sum of the oxidation states in a neutral compound is zero, so for sulfur in Na2SO3, it must be +4 to balance the -4 from two Na ions and -6 from three oxygen ions, resulting in a total charge of 0.

In Which One of the Following Compounds Is the Oxidation