Question

list as many differences between these three species as you can.
check all that apply.
□ number of oxygen atoms differ.
□ the solubility in water differ.
□ all represent ionic compounds.
□ $\ce{so4^{2-}}$ is ion, $\ce{so2}$ and $\ce{so3}$ represent molecular compounds.

Explanation:

1. For "Number of oxygen atoms differ": \( \text{SO}_4^{2-} \) has 4 O atoms, \( \text{SO}_2 \) has 2, \( \text{SO}_3 \) has 3—so this is true.
2. For "The solubility in water differ": \( \text{SO}_2 \), \( \text{SO}_3 \), and sulfate - related species (from \( \text{SO}_4^{2-} \)) have different solubilities in water (e.g., \( \text{SO}_2 \) dissolves to form acid, \( \text{SO}_3 \) reacts, and sulfates have varying solubility based on cation), so this is true.
3. For "All represent ionic compounds": \( \text{SO}_2 \) and \( \text{SO}_3 \) are molecular (covalent) compounds, only \( \text{SO}_4^{2-} \) is an ion (part of ionic compounds), so this is false.
4. For "\( \text{SO}_4^{2-} \) is ion, \( \text{SO}_2 \) and \( \text{SO}_3 \) represent molecular compounds": \( \text{SO}_4^{2-} \) is a polyatomic ion, \( \text{SO}_2 \) and \( \text{SO}_3 \) are covalent molecules, so this is true.

Answer:

• Number of oxygen atoms differ.
• The solubility in water differ.
• \( \text{SO}_4^{2-} \) is ion, \( \text{SO}_2 \) and \( \text{SO}_3 \) represent molecular compounds.