Question

What is the ionic charge for the lead ion in PbS2?

Answer 1

Answer:

$\boxed {\boxed {\sf +4}}$

Explanation:

Lead (Pb) has 2 positive oxidation states, +4 and +2.

Sulfur (S) has 3 oxidation states: +6, +4, and -2. Since lead creates a positive ion, sulfur must be a negative ion to balance the charges.

There are 2 atoms of sulfur, each with a charge of -2. Therefore, their overall charge is -4, because 2* -2= -4.

A compound has a net charge of 0. To achieve this, lead must have a charge of +4 to balance out the -4 charge of sulfur.

Lead has a +4 ionic charge in PbS₂