What is Sulphate – Definition, Formula, Uses

What is Sulphate?

This article will increase your knowledge on the topic of the chemical compound sulphate. In addition, it is one of the most common and widely available chemical compounds accessible as the minerals that are occurring naturally on the earth.

Moreover, it is present mostly in the environment as a result of the terrestrial and the atmospheric processes.  Furthermore, the main contributors of the sulphate are the sulphur that is released from the erosion of the evaporate deposits, rocks and the minerals that contain sulfides and also the volcanoes.

Definition of Sulphate

It is a polyatomic ion with an empirical formula SO2-4. Also, Sulfate is the spelling that the IUPAC recommends. Whereas, in British English, we spell it as “sulphate”. However, in industries, the salts, peroxides and the acid derivatives are used in huge amounts.

Besides, sulfates occur widely in the day to day life. Also, sulfates are the salts of the sulphuric acid and most of them are prepared from that acid.

Formula of Sulphate

Sulphate is basically a chemical compound which is composed of the atoms of the oxygen and sulphur. In addition, it forms salts with a huge variety of elements that include potassium, sodium, calcium, barium, and magnesium.

Structure of Sulphate

The sulphate anion has a central sulfur atom having a surrounding of four equivalent oxygen atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement. Furthermore, the symmetry is similar to that of methane.

The sulfur atom is present in the +6 oxidation state whereas, the 4 oxygen atoms are present each in the −2 state. The sulfate ion is carrying an overall charge of −2 and it’s the conjugate base of the bisulfate or the hydrogen sulfate ion, HSO−4, it is, in turn, the conjugate base of H2SO4, i.e. sulphuric acid.

Organic sulfate esters, such as dimethyl sulfate, are the covalent compounds and esters of the sulfuric acid. Also, the tetrahedral molecular geometry of the sulfate ion is predicted as the VSEPR theory.

Examples of Sulphate

Here are some of the common examples of the sulfate:

• Magnesium Sulfate
• Copper Sulphate
• Gypsum
• Sodium Sulfate
• Iron (II) Sulphate
• Hydrogen Sulphate
• Calcium Sulphate
• Lead Sulphate
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Uses of Sulphate

The sulfates are commonly available in nature and also easily synthesized in the industry. Therefore, this chemical compound has applications in a very wide variety. Some of them are:

• Magnesium sulfate is useful in therapeutic baths.
• Sulfate minerals are useful in the preparation of the metal salts.
• In addition, copper sulfate is one of the most common and basic algaecides.
• These are useful in preparing detergents, emulsifiers, and foaming agents.
• Gypsum is a natural type of hydrated calcium sulfate that we use in the making of the plasters.
• These are useful in the construction process.

Solved Questions For You

Question-1: What C31 tests under the Standard ASTM test method?

1. Test Method for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens at the Field.
2. Method for Compressive Strength of the Cylindrical Specimen.
3. Test Method for Unit Weight, Yield, and Air Content of the Concrete.
4. Test Method for the Slump of the Hydraulic Cement Concrete.

Answer: a) Test Method for Making and Curing the Concrete Test Specimens at the Field

Question-2: What C39 tests under the Standard ASTM test method?

1. Test method to Make and Cure Concrete Test Specimens in the Field.
2. Method for Compressive Strength of the Cylindrical Specimen.
3. Test method for Unit Weight, Yield, and Air Content of the Concrete.
4. Test method for the Slump of the Hydraulic Cement Concrete.

Answer: b) Test Method for Compressive Strength of the Cylindrical Specimen.

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