What is the oxidation state of sulfur in the sulfate ion ()?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D.
- Step 1: Assign standard oxidation numbers: each oxygen atom has an oxidation state of .
- Step 2: The sum of oxidation states in a polyatomic ion equals its net charge: .
- Step 3: Solve for : .
Answer
+6.
Why not the others: '' is the magnitude of the ionic charge; '' is the oxidation state in sulfite (); '' is the oxidation state of oxygen.
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