Question
Question: Write the formula of any two oxides of sulphur....
Write the formula of any two oxides of sulphur.
Solution
Sulphur is an abundantly found non-metal. It is odorless and tasteless. Sulphur is a yellow crystalline solid in its native form. It occurs as a pure element, as sulphate or sulphide minerals.
Complete solution:
There are several oxides of sulphur. The two most important oxides of sulphur are sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide.
Sulphur dioxide( SO2) : Naturally, sulphur dioxide is released by volcanic activity. It is produced by
burning of fossil fuel that is contaminated with sulphur components and also obtained as a by-product during copper extraction. The bond order of sulphur-oxygen is 1.5. The two resonance structure of sulphur dioxide is
Sulphur trioxide ( SO3 ): It is relatively a narrow liquid. In gaseous form it is a major pollutant that contributes to acid rain. It is a precursor to sulphuric acid and also called sulphuric anhydride. The bond order is 1.33. The vapour form of sulphur trioxide is invisible. It is transparent in liquid form. The resonance structure of sulphur trioxide is
Note:
Inhalation of sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide affects the respiratory tract which causes lung infection, irritation of eyes and in severe cases it causes asthma and chronic bronchitis. When these oxides come in contact with the organic materials, they are inflammable.