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Multiple Choice
How many electrons are present in a sulfur anion with a -2 charge?
A
16
B
14
C
18
D
20
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the atomic number of sulfur (S), which represents the number of protons and, in a neutral atom, also the number of electrons. Sulfur has an atomic number of 16.
Understand that a neutral sulfur atom has 16 electrons, equal to its 16 protons.
Recognize that the sulfur anion has a charge of -2, meaning it has gained 2 extra electrons compared to the neutral atom.
Calculate the total number of electrons in the sulfur anion by adding the 2 extra electrons to the 16 electrons of the neutral atom using the formula: $\text{Total electrons} = 16 + 2$.
Conclude that the sulfur anion with a -2 charge has 18 electrons.