State the number of electrons lost or gained when the following elements form
Ions.
S
Express your answer as an integer.
The element S is in Group 16 (Group VI A). It has 6 valence electrons. In order to achieve a stable electron configuration, it can either gain 2 electrons to have a full octet or lose 6 electrons to have an empty valence shell like the nearest noble gas, argon (Ar).
If it gains 2 electrons, it will have a charge of -2 because the 2 extra electrons will outnumber the 16 protons, resulting in a net negative charge of 2.
If it loses 6 electrons, it will have a charge of +6 because the 16 protons will outnumber the 10 remaining electrons, resulting in a net positive charge of 6.
So, the number of electrons lost or gained by S can be either -2 or +6, respectively.
To determine the number of electrons lost or gained when an element forms ions, we need to identify its group number or valence electrons.
For sulfur (S), it belongs to group 16 on the periodic table, also known as the oxygen group. Elements in this group typically gain two electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.
Since sulfur has 6 valence electrons, it will gain two electrons to complete its octet. Thus, sulfur will gain 2 electrons when it forms ions.
Therefore, the answer is:
Number of electrons gained by sulfur (S) when it forms ions = 2
To determine the number of electrons lost or gained when sulfur (S) forms ions, we need to look at the position of sulfur in the periodic table.
Sulfur is in Group 16, also known as the Oxygen Group or Chalcogens. Elements in this group tend to gain two electrons to achieve a stable octet configuration, similar to the noble gas configuration.
In its neutral state (S), sulfur has 16 electrons. To gain a stable octet configuration, sulfur would need to gain two electrons, resulting in a total of 18 electrons.
Therefore, when sulfur forms ions, it usually gains 2 electrons.