What is the chemical formula for sulfate?

The chemical formula for sulfate is denoted as SO4 2-. This formula signifies that the sulfate ion is composed of one sulfur (S) atom covalently bonded to four oxygen (O) atoms. The "2-" at the end indicates that the sulfate ion carries a charge of negative two, which is important for understanding how sulfate interacts with other ions and molecules in chemical reactions.

Sulfate is a polyatomic ion that plays a critical role in various biochemical processes, including its presence in biological systems, where it contributes to the structure of proteins and enzymes. The formula SO4 2- reflects the complete structure of this ion and its ability to participate in reactions as a fundamental building block in both inorganic and organic chemistry.

The other choices represent different chemical entities. For instance, SO3 2- denotes sulfite, HPO4 2- indicates hydrogen phosphate, and HSO4- refers to hydrogen sulfate or bisulfate, which are distinct from sulfate in terms of their structure and properties. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the specific role of sulfate in chemical processes compared to its related ions.