BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

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What is the charge on the sulfate ion represented as SO4?

2+

2-

The sulfate ion, represented as SO₄, carries a charge of 2-. This occurs because the sulfate ion is composed of one sulfur atom and four oxygen atoms. In its most common form, each of the four oxygen atoms typically has a charge of -2 in total, contributing to a charge of -8. Sulfur, in this case, typically has a formal oxidation state of +6 to balance the total charge of the ion. Therefore, the overall charge of the ion comes out to be -2, making it a 2- charged ion.

This understanding can help distinguish it from other charged species. A charge of 1- implies a simpler ion with fewer negative charges overall, which would not adequately reflect the complete structure and typical oxidation states found in sulfate. Similarly, 1+ and 2+ charges would suggest a cationic form or a lack of necessary negative charges that are present in sulfate, which does not match its established characteristics.

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1+

1-

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