I am deriving the formula for sulphur dioxide.the symbol for constituent elements are s and o.the valency for sulphur is 2, and the valency for oxygen is 2. So when the superscrit becomes subscript the formula should be SO. But why does sulphur have 4 as superscript and oxygen has 2 as superscript. On crossing the Valencies the formula becomes SO2. My question is why the superscript of s is 4?

Vivek , 11 Years ago

Grade