Question

Can you assign the sulfur oxidation states in `"sulfate ion,"` `SO_4^(2-)`, and `"sulfite ion,"` `SO_3^(2-)`?

Answer 1

Well, yes...between `"sulfate"`, `SO_4^(2-)`, and `"sulfite"`, `SO_3^(2-)`, ions......?

Explanation:

.......These differ by oxidation state. `SO_4^(2-)` exhibits a `S(+VI)` oxidation state. `SO_3^(2-)` exhibits a `S(+IV)` oxidation state. Of course, you can see the difference in the number of oxygen atoms of each species.

See here for a link to similar answers. If you don't know how to assign oxidation states, see here and [here.](https://socratic.org/questions/acidic-solutions-of-pottasium-permanganate-and-sodium-sulphite-are-mixed-predict?answerSuccess=1)

Good luck!