Understanding Polyatomic Ions: Sulfite & Sulfate

Thread starter Bashyboy
Start date Oct 4, 2011
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Ions

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Sulfite (SO3^2-) and sulfate (SO4^2-) are both polyatomic ions that carry a net charge of -2, despite differing in their composition. The difference lies in the number of oxygen atoms bonded to the sulfur atom; sulfite has three oxygen atoms while sulfate has four. This additional oxygen in sulfate contributes to its higher oxidation state of sulfur. The bonding structure and the presence of resonance in these ions explain their stability and charge. Understanding these differences is crucial for grasping the behavior of these ions in chemical reactions.

Oct 4, 2011

Bashyboy

How come polyatomic ions--for instance, sulfite and sulfate--have the same net charge?

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Oct 4, 2011

Bloodthunder

You can see the ions here and how they are bonded, giving them their charge.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfite

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