What ion is represented by SO4 2-?

The ion represented by SO4 2- is known as the sulfate ion. This is a polyatomic ion that contains one sulfur atom bonded to four oxygen atoms, and it carries a net charge of -2. Sulfate is commonly found in various chemical compounds and plays an important role in many biological and environmental processes.

In contrast to the sulfate ion, the sulfite ion, which has the formula SO3 2-, contains only three oxygen atoms bonded to the sulfur atom. Hydroxide ions, represented as OH-, consist of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom, and they carry a -1 charge. Carbonate ions, with the formula CO3 2-, consist of one carbon atom surrounded by three oxygen atoms and also carry a -2 charge but is distinct from the sulfate structure. Understanding these differences helps clarify why SO4 2- specifically denotes the sulfate ion.