alleryStart learning →What is the oxidation number of sulfur in H2S?
APlus two
BPlus four
CMinus two
DMinus four
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Minus two
1. Hydrogen is bonded to a nonmetal here, so each H is +1.
2. Two hydrogen atoms contribute 2 times +1, which is +2.
3. H2S is a neutral molecule, so the oxidation numbers must sum to 0.
4. Therefore the sulfur value x satisfies 0 = (+2) + x, giving x = -2.
5. A positive answer would break the sum rule for a neutral molecule.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 4 "Stoichiometry of Chemical Reactions", section 4.2 Classifying Chemical Reactions_
Keep practising Stoichiometry of Chemical Reactions
Browse all Stoichiometry of Chemical Reactions questions for NECO SSCE, or explore more Chemistry topics.
Related questions
Pop only the soluble compoundsKnock out the false limiting claimsFill in the percent yield formulaOrder the mass to mass routeBalance the splitting of waterIn the old vinegar test, potassium carbonate was added until bubbling stopped. What gas caBurning 0.00126 g of polyethylene gives 0.00394 g CO2 (44.01 g/mol) and 0.00161 g H2O (18.A 0.4550 g mixture treated with excess Ba(NO3)2 gives 0.6168 g of BaSO4 (233.43 g/mol). Wh