Question

3 difference between sulphur atom and sulphur ion​

Answer 1

Explanation:

sulphur atom (S) is a collection of 16 protons, 16 electrons (and a certain number of neutrons which can differ between various sulphur atoms). Protons and electrons carry a charge which is equal in magnitude (i.e. “1”), but opposite in sign:

charge of a proton: +1

charge of an electron: -1

In a sulphur atom with an equal number of protons and an equal number of electrons, those “+1” and “-1” charges cancel each other out and the atom remains neutral.

The Sulphide Ion

The sulphide ion (S^2-) is a collection of 16 protons, 18 electrons (and, again, a number of neutrons we mustn’t spend any time on now). The additional 2 electrons are responsible for a net charge of -2. In the symbolical representation of the ion, the “-” and the “2” usually switch sides, hence: S^2-.

Summary

The ‘atom’ is ele

ctrically neutral; the ‘ion’ isn’t. The underlying reason is the number of protons and electrons. Atoms have equal numbers of both; ions haven’t.

I hope that was helpful.