which of the lewis electron dot representations is correct for the sulfite ion, so₃⁻²?
which of the lewis electron dot representations is correct for the sulfite ion, so₃⁻²?
Answer
Answer: The second Lewis - electron dot representation (the one with a double - bond between S and one of the O atoms) is correct.
Explanation:
Step1: Calculate valence electrons
Sulfur (S) has 6 valence electrons, oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons, and there is a 2 - negative charge. So the total number of valence electrons is (6 + 3\times6+2=26).
Step2: Analyze single - bond structure
The first structure with all single bonds has (3\times2 + 3\times6=24) electrons around the atoms, which is incorrect as we need 26 electrons.
Step3: Analyze double - bond structure
The second structure with one (S = O) double - bond has (2\times2+1\times4 + 3\times6=26) electrons, which is the correct number of valence electrons for the sulfite ion (\text{SO}_{3}^{2 -}).