Question

The compound CaSO4 ionizes into a calcium ion and a sulfate ion (SO4). Calcium has two electrons in its outer shell. Upon ionization, what would you expect the charge on the sulfate ion to be?

Answer 1

Answer:

-2

Explanation:

Calcium is the element of second group and forth period. The electronic configuration of Calcium is - 2, 8, 8, 2 or $1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^64s^2$

There are 2 valence electrons of Calcium.

Thus, calcium loses two electrons to sulfate ion and sulfate ion accepts these electrons to form ionic bond.

Calcium sulfate, $CaSO_4$ is formed when 2 valence electrons of calcium are loosed and they are gained by sulfate ion.

$Ca^{2+}+SO_4^{2-}\rightarrow CaSO_4$

Thus, the charge on the sulfate ion is -2.