Multiple Choice
Which of the following species has the highest oxidizing power based on their oxidation numbers?
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6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions
Calculate Oxidation Numbers
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What is the oxidation state of sulfur in the ion SO_4^{2-}?
A
+6
B
-2
C
+4
D
0
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the overall charge of the ion SO_4^{2-}, which is -2.
Recall that oxygen almost always has an oxidation state of -2 in compounds.
Let the oxidation state of sulfur be x. Since there are 4 oxygen atoms, the total oxidation state contributed by oxygen is 4 \times (-2) = -8.
Write the equation for the sum of oxidation states equal to the overall charge of the ion: x + (-8) = -2.
Solve the equation for x to find the oxidation state of sulfur: x = -2 + 8.
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