Question

tube worms that survive near geothermal vents of hydrogen sulfide rely on bacteria living inside them to obtain energy by the oxidation of h2s to so42-. what is the overall change in the oxidation number of sulfur for this reaction?

Answer 1

The overall change in the oxidation number of sulfur for this reaction is 6.

Tube worms that survive near the geothermal vents of hydrogen sulfide rely on bacteria living inside them and obtain the energy by the oxidation of $H_{2} S$ to $SO_{4} ^{2-}$. The oxidation reaction of $H_{2} S$ to $SO_{4} ^{2-}$ taking place near the geothermal vents of hydrogen sulfide is mentioned below;

$H_{2} S + 2O_{2}$ → $SO_{4} ^{2-} + 2H^{+} + 8e^{-}$

Oxidation number of Sulphur in reactant i.e., $H_{2} S$  = -2

Oxidation number of Sulphur in product i.e., $SO_{4} ^{2-}$  will be solved as mentioned below;

x - 8 = -2

x = 6

Oxidation number of Sulphur in product i.e., $SO_{4} ^{2-}$ = 6

Change in the oxidation number of sulfur in this reaction = Oxidation number of Sulphur in product - Oxidation number of Sulphur in reactant = 6 - (-2) = 8

Thus,  we can conclude that overall change in the oxidation number of sulfur is 6 in this reaction.

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