The oxidation states of sulfur in the anions SO , S O and S O follow the order (a) S O S O SO (b) S O S O SO (c) S O SO S O (d) SO S O S O

Let us consider the oxidation number of S is x. Now by adding all the charges and equating it to overall charge, we get- 2- 3 2- 2 4 2- 2 6 SO x-6=-2 x=+4 S O 2x-8=-2 x=+3 S O 2x-12=-2 x=+5 → >> → >> → >> Therefore, 2- 2- 2- 2 4 3 2 6 S O <SO <S O is the correct order.