Sulfur dioxide So2 is present in our atmosphere and is used as a preservative in foods. Is it possible to use the common charges that sulfur and oxygen make to determine the forumla

Your question is not interpreted very well, but as regards what is observed, SO2 is not the formula for sulfur oxide, the formula for sulfur oxide is SO since the valence used in sulfur would be + 2 and oxygen - 2 therefore the sum of these valences would be equal to zero, therefore it would be the correct thing considering the true equation as SO

Explanation:

There are also sulfur dioxide, or sulfur trioxide, which is usually used in the formation of tertiary salts such as copper sulfate.

sulfur trioxide and sulfur dioxide are synonymous with sulfate or sulphite