Is #BaSO_4# ionic or covelent?

1 Answer
Aug 22, 2017

Ionic.

Explanation:

Ionic compounds are formed when a cation reacts with an anion, where electrons are "donated". For covalent compounds, electrons are shared and only occurs between anions.

#BaSO_"4"# (Barium sulfate) is an ionic compound.

Where barium is the cation (metal)...

The Photographic Periodic Table of the Elements

...and sulfate is a polyatomic ion that acts as an anion. It consists of one sulfate atom and 4 oxygen atoms.

Hope this helps :)