Question

What is true of a sulfide ion (S2-)?

A) It loses two electrons during a chemical reaction.

B) It has two more protons than electrons.

C) It is highly unstable.

D) It has two more electrons than protons.

Answer 1

Answer: D) It has two more electrons than protons.

Explanation: Sulphur (S) is an element with atomic number 16 and thus contains 16 electrons. A neutral atom contains equal number of protons and electrons.

$S:16:[Ne]3s^23p^4$

An atom on losing electrons gains positive charge and on gaining electrons gain negative charge.

Sulphide ion $(S^{2-})$ is formed by gaining 2 electrons to attain stable configuration of argon and thus contains two more electrons than protons.

$S^{2-}:18:[Ne]3s^23p^6:[Ar]$