How do we represent the #"sulfate ion"#?

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1 Answer
Jarni Renz
Mar 5, 2016

#SO_4^(2-)#

Explanation:

The elements composing the #SO_4^(2-)# 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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