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Sulphate





CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

The sulfate ion is a Polyatomic Anion with the Empirical Formula S O 42− and a molecular mass of 96.06 Daltons ; it consists of one central sulfur Atom surrounded by four identical oxygen atoms in a Tetrahedral arrangement. The sulfate ion carries a negative two Formal Charge and is the Conjugate Base of the '''hydrogensulfate''' ion, HSO4, which is the conjugate base of H2SO4, sulfuric acid.

A sulfate salt forms when a positively charged ion attaches to the negatively charged oxygen atoms of the ion, forming an ionic Compound . Almost all sulfates are Soluble in Water at Standard Temperature And Pressure . Exceptions include Calcium , Strontium and Barium sulfates.


USES

Sulfates, also known as sulfur oxides, are important in both the chemical industry and biological systems:


Oxoanion Sulfides


Sulfates occur as microscopic particles ( Aerosols ) resulting from Fossil Fuel and Biomass combustion. They increase the acidity of the Atmosphere and form Acid Rain . There is a negative Radiative Forcing from aerosols because, while in the atmosphere, they reflect incoming Solar Radiation . This is an increase in Albedo .