Question

What is the metal cation in K,SO,? (cation is pronounced cat-ion and refers to a positively charged ion)

How did you figure this out?

Answer 1

Potassium cation = K⁺²

Step-by-step explanation:

The metal cation in K₂SO₄ is K⁺². While the anion is SO₄²⁻.

All the metals have tendency to lose the electrons and form cation. In given compound the metal is potassium so it should form the cation. The overall compound is neutral.

The charge on sulfate is -2. While the oxidation state of potassium is +1. So in order to make compound overall neutral there should be two potassium cation so that potassium becomes +2 and cancel the -2 charge on sulfate and make the charge on compound zero.

2K⁺² , SO₄²⁻

K₂SO₄