Question

what is the oxidation number of Mg in MgSO4

Answer 1

\[Mg ^{+2} +SO _{4}^{-2} \rightarrow MgSO _{4}\]
\[Mg + (1\times biloks \S) + (4 \times biloks O) = 0\]
since S is free element so the oxidation number is zero
number oxidation for O is -2
so
\[Mg+(1 \times 0)+ (4 \times (-2) =0\]
\[number oxidation of Mg becomes Mg = +8\]