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Title: How do you figure out the charge of a polyatomic ion? Post by: SMOKEY2112 on Sep 13, 2012 Sulfate has a compound of SO4 with a -2 charge. When sulfur and oxygen combine with each other the charge is -2 (negative 2). How did it get a charge of -2? How do you figure this out mathematically?
Title: How do you figure out the charge of a polyatomic ion? Post by: lizbeth on Sep 13, 2012 Sadly, like many subjects in chemistry, this is determined by laboratory experiment. You will learn as you advance in chemistry that some atoms do not always have the same charge (also known as oxidation number) the only way for you and I to know the charge of a polyatomic Ion without a fully furnished laboratory is to memorize it.
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