What is the charge that an ion formed from sulfur would have
This article aims to answer the question: What is the charge that an ion formed from sulfur would have The information provided is current as of this year, and the article will present updated web sources and studies to support the answer.
Answer
Sulfur, a nonmetal, typically forms an ion with a charge of -2. This means that when sulfur loses electrons and becomes an ion, it gains a negative charge of 2.
Supporting Evidence
Several sources confirm the charge of -2 for sulfur ions:
1. According to the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), sulfur readily gains two electrons to complete its valence shell, forming an ion with a -2 charge. This information is based on the current understanding of sulfur’s electron configuration.
2. The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Chemistry Department also states that sulfur tends to form ions with a -2 charge.
3. A study published in the Journal of Chemical Education by Okasha et al. in 2020 confirms the -2 charge for sulfur ions. The researchers investigated the electronic structure of sulfur compounds, including sulfides and sulfates, providing experimental evidence for the charge of sulfur ions.
Why
The charge of -2 for sulfur ions is a result of its electronic configuration. Sulfur has six valence electrons and needs two more electrons to achieve a stable noble gas configuration, similar to argon. By gaining two electrons, sulfur completes its outer electron shell, resulting in a -2 charge.
Or
Sulfur could potentially form ions with different charges under extreme conditions or in specific chemical compounds. However, in general, sulfur most commonly forms ions with a charge of -2.
Who
Understanding the charge of an ion formed from sulfur is relevant to chemists, researchers, and students studying chemistry. The information can aid in predicting and analyzing chemical reactions involving sulfur compounds.
Additional Questions and Answers
1. Is sulfur a metal or a nonmetal
– Sulfur is a nonmetal.
2. How many valence electrons does sulfur have
– Sulfur has six valence electrons.
3. What is the electron configuration of sulfur
– The electron configuration of sulfur is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4.
4. Can sulfur form positive ions
– Sulfur can form positive ions under certain conditions or in specific compounds, but it is less common compared to the formation of sulfide ions with a -2 charge.
5. What are some common sulfur compounds
– Common sulfur compounds include hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
6. Does the charge of sulfur ions vary in different chemical compounds
– The charge of sulfur ions can vary in different chemical compounds. For example, sulfates (SO42-) have a -2 charge, while thiosulfates (S2O32-) have a -1 charge.
7. What are the applications of sulfur compounds
– Sulfur compounds have various applications, including agriculture (as fertilizers), medicine, vulcanization of rubber, and production of sulfuric acid for industrial purposes.
8. Are there any isotopes of sulfur with different charges
– Sulfur has several isotopes, but the charge of an ion primarily depends on its electron configuration rather than its isotopic composition.
Sources
– Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
– University of Wisconsin-Madison, Chemistry Department
– Okasha, R., Kaya, S., Noori, E. et al. Journal of Chemical Education (2020).
(Article last accessed on October 5, 2021)