1.

H_(2)S acts only as a reducing agent while SO_(2) acts as an oxidising as well as a reducing agent. Why?

Answer»

Solution :(i) `H_(2)S`. Oxidation number (O.N.) of S in `H_(2)s` is -2.
Maximum O.N. of S is +6 and minimum is -2.
Since the O.N. of S in `H_(2)S` is minimum (-2), therefore, it can only increase by losing electrons. Hence, `H_(2)S` acts only as a reducing AGENT.
(ii) `SO_(2)`. O.N. of S in `SO_(2)` = +4
Maximum O.N. of S is +6 and minimum is -2.
Since O.N. of S in `SO_(2)` is +4, therefore, it can either increase by losing electrons or DECREASE by accepting electrons. Hence, `SO_(2)` can act both as a reducing agent as well as an oxidising agent.


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