JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3qc182
Arsenic(III) sulphide (yellow) is oxidised completely by conc. HNOX3 to arsenic acid HX3AsOX4 and sulphate. The number of electrons lost per formula unit of AsX2SX3 is
A10
B24
C4
D28
Answer: D
Each As goes from +3 to +5: 2×2=4 electrons. Each S goes from −2 to +6: 3×8=24 electrons. Total 4+24=28. Counting only As (4) or only S (24) are the usual errors.