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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: artem.metelskiy on February 18, 2011, 08:08:53 PM

Title: Anion, Cation, or Molecule?
Post by: artem.metelskiy on February 18, 2011, 08:08:53 PM

I don't know how to determine the answer for the next question:
Does the following Lewis structure represent an anion, a cation, or a molecule? If it represents an ion, what is the charge on the ion?
(https://www.chemicalforums.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi921.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fad54%2Fmetelskiy%2FMicroelectronics%2F1.jpg&hash=8bef25e8706344f487ab185d934d4d65d23c0846)
Help me to approach the answer.

Title: Re: Anion, Cation, or Molecule?
Post by: opti384 on February 18, 2011, 08:19:51 PM

Keep in mind that ions have less or more electrons than the neutral state.

Title: Re: Anion, Cation, or Molecule?
Post by: artem.metelskiy on February 18, 2011, 10:49:03 PM

So neutral state would be S(1x6)+O(3x6)=24 but the structure has 26 e-, means 2 extra. Would the answer be "Molecule [SO₃]^-2?

Title: Re: Anion, Cation, or Molecule?
Post by: rabolisk on February 18, 2011, 10:49:45 PM

Yes, also known as sulfate.

Title: Re: Anion, Cation, or Molecule?
Post by: sjb on February 19, 2011, 08:00:33 AM

Quote from: rabolisk on February 18, 2011, 10:49:45 PM

Yes, also known as sulfate.

Either sulfate(IV), or sulfite, surely? (sulfate has 4 oxygens)

Title: Re: Anion, Cation, or Molecule?
Post by: rabolisk on February 19, 2011, 02:05:54 PM

Meant to say sulfite, my apologies.