In the redox reaction, the sulfur in SO2 changes oxidation state from +4 to +6; this change is described as:

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Multiple Choice

In the redox reaction, the sulfur in SO2 changes oxidation state from +4 to +6; this change is described as:

In redox chemistry, you determine how many electrons are transferred by looking at changes in oxidation state. An increase in oxidation state means the element is oxidized and has lost electrons. Here, sulfur goes from +4 to +6. The difference is 6 minus 4, which equals +2. So the oxidation state has increased by 2 units, meaning sulfur has lost two electrons. This description matches exactly the observed change. It’s not an increase of 4 (that would require a bigger jump), not a decrease, and not remaining the same.

In redox chemistry, you determine how many electrons are transferred by looking at changes in oxidation state. An increase in oxidation state means the element is oxidized and has lost electrons.

Here, sulfur goes from +4 to +6. The difference is 6 minus 4, which equals +2. So the oxidation state has increased by 2 units, meaning sulfur has lost two electrons. This description matches exactly the observed change. It’s not an increase of 4 (that would require a bigger jump), not a decrease, and not remaining the same.

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