Oxidation number and its calculation
Redox Reactions · Chemistry
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Study notes
Find the oxidation number of S in H₂SO₄ and Na₂S₂O₃. Step 1: H₂SO₄: 2(+1) + x + 4(−2) = 0 → x = +6. Step 2: Na₂S₂O₃: 2(+1) + 2x + 3(−2) = 0 → 2x = +4 → x = +2 (average). Step 3: Actually thiosulphate's two S differ (+6 and −2) — average +2. Step 4: Fractional/average ON is fine — it's bookkeeping, not real charge. ON tracks electron flow, not actual ionic charge.