Tube worms that survive near geothermal vents of hydrogen sulfide rely on bacteria living inside them to obtain energy by the oxidation of H 2S to SO 4 2-. What is the overall change in the oxidation number of sulfur for this reaction?

The overall change in the oxidation number of sulfur is 8.

Explanation:

Oxidation number is defined number assigned to an element in reaction which represent the loss or gain of electrons by an atom of an element in a compound.

In

let the oxidation number of S in hydrogen sulfide be x.

x = -2

In

let the oxidation number of S in sulfate ion be x.

x = -2 + 8 = +6

The overall change in the oxidation number of sulfur :

= [+6] - [-2] = 8