Question

the following structures represent the most probable resonance description of the oxoacid hco3 - that are indicative of the structures that contribute most to the actual structure of the molecule. note that this will be based on the best formal charges of the structures. :o: || :o - c - :o - h^- <-> :o: || :o - c = :o - h^- true false question 2 1 pts the following structures represent the most probable resonance description of the oxoacid h2so3 that are indicative of the structures that contribute most to the actual structure of the molecule. note that this will be based on the best formal charges of the structures. :o: || h - :o - s - :o - h <-> h - :o - s - :o - h true false

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate formal charges for $HCO_3^-$

Formal - charge formula: $FC = V - N - \frac{B}{2}$, where $V$ is the number of valence electrons, $N$ is the number of non - bonding electrons, and $B$ is the number of bonding electrons.
For the first resonance structure of $HCO_3^-$:

• For the double - bonded $O$: $V = 6$, $N = 4$, $B = 4$, $FC=6 - 4-\frac{4}{2}=0$.
• For the single - bonded $O$ with negative charge: $V = 6$, $N = 6$, $B = 2$, $FC = 6 - 6-\frac{2}{2}=- 1$.
• For $C$: $V = 4$, $N = 0$, $B = 8$, $FC = 4 - 0-\frac{8}{2}=0$.
• For $H$: $V = 1$, $N = 0$, $B = 2$, $FC = 1 - 0-\frac{2}{2}=0$.

For the second resonance structure of $HCO_3^-$:

• For the double - bonded $O$: $V = 6$, $N = 4$, $B = 4$, $FC = 0$.
• For the single - bonded $O$ with negative charge: $V = 6$, $N = 6$, $B = 2$, $FC=-1$.
• For $C$: $V = 4$, $N = 0$, $B = 8$, $FC = 0$.
• For $H$: $V = 1$, $N = 0$, $B = 2$, $FC = 0$. These are valid resonance structures with reasonable formal charges, so the statement for $HCO_3^-$ is True.

Step2: Calculate formal charges for $H_2SO_3$

For the first resonance structure of $H_2SO_3$:

• For the single - bonded $O$: $V = 6$, $N = 6$, $B = 2$, $FC = 6 - 6-\frac{2}{2}= - 1$.
• For the central $S$: $V = 6$, $N = 2$, $B = 6$, $FC = 6 - 2-\frac{6}{2}= + 1$.
• For $H$: $V = 1$, $N = 0$, $B = 2$, $FC = 0$.

For the second resonance structure of $H_2SO_3$:

• For the double - bonded $O$: $V = 6$, $N = 4$, $B = 4$, $FC = 0$.
• For the single - bonded $O$: $V = 6$, $N = 6$, $B = 2$, $FC=-1$.
• For the central $S$: $V = 6$, $N = 0$, $B = 8$, $FC = 6 - 0-\frac{8}{2}= + 2$.

A better resonance structure for $H_2SO_3$ would have less separation of formal charge. The given structures are not the most probable resonance structures based on formal charges. So the statement for $H_2SO_3$ is False.

Answer:

Question 1: True
Question 2: False