Question

Based on listed oxidation states which formulas would most likely result when sulfur and oxygen combine to form a compound?

Answer 1

When sulfur and oxygen combine, the compounds formed are likely to be sulfur dioxide (SO2) or sulfur trioxide (SO3), where sulfur has oxidation states of +4 and +6, respectively. The structure of SO2 is OSO due to formal charge considerations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on listed oxidation states and considering that sulfur can have several oxidation numbers, when sulfur and oxygen combine to form a compound, the likely formulas would be sulfur dioxide (SO2) or sulfur trioxide (SO3). Sulfur in SO2 has an oxidation state of +4, whereas in SO3, sulfur has an oxidation state of +6. These different oxidation states lead to the formation of different compounds with distinct properties and chemical behaviors. For example, SO2 is formed via the reaction S (s) + O₂(g) → SO₂ (g) and SO3 through the reaction 2S (s) + 3O₂ (g) → 2SO₃ (g). Regarding the formal charge considerations for sulfur dioxide, the correct arrangement of atoms would be OSO, where sulfur is in the center flanked by oxygens because it allows for the formal charges to be minimized.

Answer 2

Answer: SO₂ (Sulphur(iv)oxide)

Step-by-step explanation:

Oxidation: Oxidation is the process involving a loss in electron, it can also mean the addition of oxygen to a substance during chemical reaction. It can also mean removal of hydrogen from a substance during chemical reaction. it can also mean addition of electropositive element and removal of electronegative element from a substance during chemical reaction.

Oxidation Number: The oxidation number of an element in any particular molecule or ion is defined as the electrical charge.

Sulphur have variable oxidation states. And the oxidation number of surphur

is -2, -4 or -6, and the oxidation number of oxygen is -2.

Therefore when sulphur react with oxygen, the most likely results is sulphur(iv)oxide. (SO₂).