* Identify the charges of the other ions:
* Magnesium (Mg) is in group 2 of the periodic table, so it has a +2 charge (Mg²⁺).
* Sulfate (SO₄) is a polyatomic ion with a -2 charge (SO₄²⁻).
* Balance the charges: Since the charges are equal and opposite, they cancel each other out, resulting in a neutral compound (MgSO₄).
* Determine the valency of sulfur: In the sulfate ion, sulfur (S) is bonded to four oxygen atoms (O). Each oxygen atom has a -2 charge, resulting in a total negative charge of -8. To balance this, sulfur must have a +6 charge.
Therefore, the valency of sulfur in MgSO₄ is +6.
