When sulfur forms an ion, does it become a cation or an anion?

• A. Cation
• B. Neither cation nor anion
• C. Both cation and anion
• D. Anion

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that a cation is a positively charged ion formed when an atom loses electrons, and an anion is a negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains electrons.
2. Consider the position of sulfur in the periodic table: sulfur is in group 16 (or VIA), which means it has 6 valence electrons.
3. Atoms tend to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to the nearest noble gas, often by gaining or losing electrons.
4. Since sulfur has 6 valence electrons, it tends to gain 2 electrons to complete its octet, resulting in a charge of -2.
5. Therefore, when sulfur forms an ion, it gains electrons and becomes an anion with a charge of 2-, written as \(\mathrm{S^{2-}}\).