The atomic number of sulfur is 16. This means that sulfur has 16 protons in its nucleus. The atomic number is essentially the defining property of an element, as it determines what element it is.
When sulfur has a charge of 2, it typically indicates that it has gained or lost electrons. In the case of a 2- charge, sulfur has gained two extra electrons. Therefore, if sulfur has a charge of 2, it would have:
- Protons: 16 (as mentioned, since the atomic number is 16)
- Electrons: 16 + 2 = 18
To find the number of neutrons in sulfur, you can use the formula:
Neutrons = Atomic Mass – Protons
The atomic mass of sulfur is approximately 32.07. Rounding to the nearest whole number gives us an atomic mass of 32. Therefore, the number of neutrons is:
- Neutrons: 32 – 16 = 16
In summary, when sulfur has a charge of 2, it has 16 protons, 18 electrons, and 16 neutrons.