How do we represent the sulfate ion?

1 Answer
Jarni Renz
Mar 5, 2016

SO2−4

Explanation:

The elements composing the SO2−4 are located in Group 16 which have 6 valence electrons each and both are nonmetallic. This means that these elements have the tendency of sharing their electrons to achieve stability.

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Sulfur shares its 6e- to 3 Oxygen atoms to complete the octet leaving 1 Oxygen with only 6. The oxidation number of −2 for this covalently bonded ion signifies that it has gained 2e- to complete the octet of the other Oxygen atom.

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