Question

the formula for sulfate differs from the formula for sulfite in: number of oxygen atoms number of ions that would combine with na+ number of sulfur atoms type of atoms present ionic charge

Explanation:

• Sulfate ion formula: $\ce{SO^{2-}_{4}}$
• Sulfite ion formula: $\ce{SO^{2-}_{3}}$
• Both have same ionic charge (-2), same type of atoms (S and O), same number of S atoms (1).
• Number of O atoms: sulfate has 4, sulfite has 3.
• For $\ce{Na^{+}}$:
• Sulfate: $\ce{Na_{2}SO_{4}}$ (2 $\ce{Na^{+}}$ ions)
• Sulfite: $\ce{Na_{2}SO_{3}}$ (2 $\ce{Na^{+}}$ ions)

Answer:

number of oxygen atoms