Question

The oxidation number and covalency of sulphur in the sulphur molecule ${S_8}$ are, respectively :
A. 0 and 2
B. +6 and 8
C. 0 and 8
D. +6 and 2

Answer 1

Hint- In order to deal with this question first we will talk about the oxidation number and covalency of any element then we will take an example of sulphur molecule to get the required answer according to the means of calculation of oxidation number on the basis of structure of the molecule based on the VSEPR theory for finding the structure.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Oxidation number: Oxidation number also known as Oxidation State, the cumulative number of electrons obtained or lost by an atom in order to form a chemical bond with another atom.
Covalence: This is called covalence because an element exchanges electrons with other atoms of the same or different elements in order to achieve stable electronic structure. If an atom contains 1 electron, so its covalence is 1. If 2 electrons can be exchanged, then the covalence is 2..
The ${S_8}$ molecule of sulphur is known as Octa - Sulphur.
The oxidation number of sulphur in the ${S_8}$ molecule is 0. This is as in any monatomic molecule, sulphur to have the oxidation number as 0.
Covalency ${S_8}$ molecule of sulphur is 2 because of this each sulphur atom forms two (2) covalent bonds as a crown-like structure.
${S_8}$ sulphur atoms form a crown structure or like a ring to form an eight atom molecule of sulphur.
Hence Oxidation number is 0 and covalency is 2 in sulphur ${S_8}$ molecule
So, the correct answer is option A.

Note- If an atom loses or receives electrons as it is mixed with other atoms to form compounds is important to learn. The number of oxidations may be positive, negative, or zero and shows that electrons are lost or obtained. In other words, the oxidation number is a number that lets us keep track of the electrons in an atom that defines the degree of oxidation (loss of electrons) of an atom in a chemical compound.