What is true of a sulfide ion (S2-)?

A) It loses two electrons during a chemical reaction.

B) It has two more protons than electrons.

C) It is highly unstable.

D) It has two more electrons than protons.

Answer: D) It has two more electrons than protons.

Explanation: Sulphur (S) is an element with atomic number 16 and thus contains 16 electrons. A neutral atom contains equal number of protons and electrons.

[tex]S:16:[Ne]3s^23p^4[/tex]

An atom on losing electrons gains positive charge and on gaining electrons gain negative charge.

Sulphide ion [tex](S^{2-})[/tex] is formed by gaining 2 electrons to attain stable configuration of argon and thus contains two more electrons than protons.

[tex]S^{2-}:18:[Ne]3s^23p^6:[Ar][/tex]