Question

identify the correct lewis structure for no₂⁺. select the single best answer.

Explanation:

Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons and oxygen has 6 valence electrons. For $NO_{2}^{+}$, the total number of valence electrons is $5 + 2\times6- 1=16$ (subtracting 1 for the positive charge). In the correct Lewis - structure, nitrogen is the central atom. A double - bond between nitrogen and one oxygen and a single - bond between nitrogen and the other oxygen, along with appropriate lone - pairs to satisfy the octet rule for all atoms, gives the correct structure. The structure with a double - bond on one side and a single - bond on the other side of the nitrogen (while accounting for the positive charge) is correct.

Answer:

$[\ddot{O}=N-\ddot{O}:]^{+}$ (the third option in the list provided in the question)