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

-2

Step-by-step 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.