how many valence electrons total does sulfate have
i just ran across a problem asking me to identify the valence electrons on a sulfur atom in a sulfate ion. my understanding is that sulfate ion = 4 oxygen + 1 sulfur atom and has a 2- charge. now, in the answer to this question, it reads: sulfur in a sulfate ion has 12 valence electrons, its original six... *which i was able to find; 1s2,2s2,2p6,3s2,3p4 plus 6 more from the oxygens to which it is bonded.