Oxidation number is defined as the total number of electrons that are gained or lost by the atom to form a chemical bond. the oxidation number of the compound H₂S is 0. the sum of the oxidation numbers of the individual elements should add up to the oxidation number of the compound.
(oxidation number of H x 2 H ions) + oxidation number of S = 0 since we know the oxidation number of H, lets name the oxidation number of S = x (+1 * 2 )+ (x) = 0 2 + x = 0 x = -2 oxidation number of S is -2
