Question

What's the oxidation number of Sulfur?

Answer 1

The oxidation number of ANY element is `0`.

Explanation:

As the element, sulfur has neither been reduced nor oxidized; it still possesses 6 valence electron. Of course, in sulfates, `SO_4^(2-)`, and sulfites, `SO_3^(2-)`, the sulfur atom assumes formal oxidation states of `VI+`, and `IV+`; in sulfides `-II`. What are the 2 oxidation states (or the average oxidation states if you like) of sulfur in `S_2O_3^(2-)`, thiosulfate ion?