Question

Assign oxidation numbers to the underlined element in the following species:

NaHSO₄

Answer 1

+1	+1	x	-2
Na	H	S	O4

Then, we have

1(+1) + 1(+1) + 1(x) + 4(-2) = 0

⇒ 1 + 1 + x - 8 = 0

⇒ x = + 6

Hence, the oxidation number of S is + 6.