Question

write the correct formula for each species: sulfur dioxide, sulfur trioxide, the sulfate ion. express your answers as chemical formulas separated by a comma.
so₂, so₃, so₄²⁻
previous answers
correct
part b
list as many similarities between these three species as you can.
check all that apply.
all contain 1 sulfur atom.
all represent cations.
all contain nonmetals only.
all have a charge.
all contain sulfur and oxygen.
all represent anions.
previous answers
correct
part c
list as many differences between these three species as you can.
check all that apply.
so₄²⁻ is ion, so₂ and so₃ represent molecular compounds.
all represent ionic compounds.
the solubility in water differ.
number of oxygen atoms differ.

Explanation:

For Part C, we analyze each option:

1. \( \ce{SO4^{2-}} \) is an ion (sulfate ion), while \( \ce{SO2} \) (sulfur dioxide) and \( \ce{SO3} \) (sulfur trioxide) are molecular compounds (covalent compounds), so this option is correct.
2. \( \ce{SO2} \) and \( \ce{SO3} \) are molecular (covalent) compounds, not ionic, so "All represent ionic compounds" is incorrect.
3. The solubility of \( \ce{SO2} \), \( \ce{SO3} \), and \( \ce{SO4^{2-}} \) - containing compounds in water differs (e.g., \( \ce{SO2} \) and \( \ce{SO3} \) react with water, and sulfates have varying solubilities), so this is correct.
4. The number of oxygen atoms: \( \ce{SO2} \) has 2, \( \ce{SO3} \) has 3, \( \ce{SO4^{2-}} \) has 4, so they differ, this is correct.

Answer:

• \( \ce{SO4^{2-}} \) is ion, \( \ce{SO2} \) and \( \ce{SO3} \) represent molecular compounds.
• The solubility in water differ.
• Number of oxygen atoms differ.