The reaction between sulfur and dilute HNO3 can be represented by the following equation:

S(s) + 6HNO3(aq) → H2SO4(aq) + 6NO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

In this reaction, sulfur is oxidized from a neutral state to a +6 oxidation state in sulfuric acid, while nitrogen is reduced from a +5 oxidation state in nitric acid to a +4 oxidation state in nitrogen dioxide.