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Question

A solution of sulphur dioxide in water reacts with H2S precipitating sulphur. Here sulphur dioxide acts as


A
an oxidising agent
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B
a reducing agent
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C
an acid
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D
a catalyst
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Solution

The correct option is A an oxidising agent

First - let us write down the reaction:
SO2 + 2H2S3S + 2H2O
In H2S, sulphur has an oxidation number of -2. In SO2 Sulphur has an oxidation number of +4.
On the right-hand side, we only have elemental sulphur whose oxidation number is 0. The sulphur in SO2 changes its oxidation number from +4 to 0.
This means that the sulphur is gaining electrons. We know that when a reactant gains electrons, it gets reduced. Hence, SO2 is getting reduced.
Also, the reactant that gets reduced is the oxidising agent. Hence, here, SO2 acts as an oxidising agent.


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