Question

on a sheet of paper, draw the lewis structure for the following compound a link to the periodic table has been provided for you.
so₃
sample answer:
lewis structure of so₃
check all features below that you included in your lewis structure.
☑️ correct number of s and o atoms
☑️ s as the central atom
☑️ two lines (double bond) between s and one and only one of the three o atoms
☑️ line (single bond) between s and the other two o atoms not double bonded to o
☑️ four dots (electrons) associated with the o atom double bonded to s
☑️ six dots (electrons) associated with the o atoms not double bonded to s
☑️ no other lines or dots

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the Lewis structure of \( SO_3 \)

In the Lewis structure of \( SO_3 \), sulfur (S) is the central atom. Sulfur has 6 valence electrons, and each oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons. The total number of valence electrons is \( 6 + 3\times6 = 24 \).

Step2: Check the bonding and lone pairs

- **Correct number of S and O atoms**: There is 1 S and 3 O atoms, which is correct.
- **S as the central atom**: S is the central atom, correct.
- **Two lines (double bond) between S and one and only one of the three O atoms**: Wait, actually, in the correct Lewis structure of \( SO_3 \) (resonance structures), there are three double bonds (or resonance hybrids). But looking at the sample answer's structure, one O has a double bond (two lines) and two have single bonds with lone pairs? Wait, no, the sample structure shows two double bonds? Wait, no, the given structure has S double - bonded to two O atoms (two double bonds) and single - bonded to one O with lone pairs? Wait, maybe the options are based on the given sample answer. Let's check each option:
- "two lines (double bond) between S and one and only one of the three O atoms": In the sample structure, there are two double bonds (between S and two O atoms) and one single bond? Wait, no, the structure shows S double - bonded to two O atoms (two double bonds) and single - bonded to one O with lone pairs? Wait, maybe the option is mis - worded, but let's check the other options.
- "four dots (electrons) associated with the O atom double bonded to S": A double - bonded O in \( SO_3 \) (in the Lewis structure) has 4 non - bonding electrons? No, a double - bonded O would have 2 lone pairs (4 electrons)? Wait, no, oxygen has 6 valence electrons. In a double bond, it shares 2 pairs (4 electrons) with S, so it has \( 6 - 4=2 \) non - bonding electrons (1 lone pair)? Wait, maybe the sample structure has O atoms with different bonding.
- "six dots (electrons) associated with the O atoms not double bonded to S": An O atom single - bonded to S would share 2 electrons (1 pair) with S, so it has \( 6 - 2 = 4 \) non - bonding electrons (2 lone pairs, 4 electrons)? No, 6 dots would be 3 lone pairs, which is 6 electrons. Wait, maybe the sample structure has O atoms with 3 lone pairs? No, oxygen's octet: in \( SO_3 \), the single - bonded O (in some resonance structures) has 3 lone pairs? Wait, no, the correct Lewis structure of \( SO_3 \) (resonance) has each O with 2 lone pairs (4 electrons) when double - bonded and 3 lone pairs (6 electrons) when single - bonded? Wait, no, let's calculate the formal charge. For \( SO_3 \), the central S has a formal charge of 0 in the resonance structures where each S - O bond is a double bond (but sulfur can expand its octet). Wait, maybe the sample structure is the one with one double bond and two single bonds. In that case, the double - bonded O has 2 lone pairs (4 electrons), and the single - bonded O has 3 lone pairs (6 electrons). So the option "six dots (electrons) associated with the O atoms not double bonded to S" is correct because the single - bonded O atoms (not double - bonded to S) have 3 lone pairs (6 electrons).
- "atoms not double bonded to S": The O atoms not double - bonded to S (single - bonded) have 6 electrons (3 lone pairs), so this option is correct in terms of the dot count.
- "no other lines or dots": The structure has the correct bonds and lone pairs, so this is also a correct feature, but let's focus on the dot - related option. The O atoms not double - bonded to S (single - bonded) have 6 electrons (3 lone pairs), so the option "six dots (electrons) associated with the O atoms not double bonded to S" is a correct feature. Also, "S as the central atom" is correct, "correct number of S and O atoms" is correct, "two O atoms not double bonded to S" (if there is one double - bonded O, then two are single - bonded) is correct? Wait, no, in the sample structure, there are two double - bonded O atoms? Wait, the structure shows S double - bonded to two O atoms (two double bonds) and single - bonded to one O. So "two O atoms not double bonded to S" would be wrong (only one is not double - bonded). Wait, maybe I mis - see the structure. The structure has S connected to three O atoms: one with a double bond (two lines), and two with double bonds? No, the structure shows S double - bonded to two O atoms (two double bonds) and single - bonded to one O (one line). So the number of O atoms not double - bonded to S is one, not two. So the option "six dots (electrons) associated with the O atoms not double bonded to S" is correct because the single - bonded O (not double - bonded to S) has 3 lone pairs (6 electrons). Also, "S as the central atom" is correct, "correct number of S and O atoms" (1 S and 3 O) is correct, "no other lines or dots" (the structure has only the bonds and lone pairs shown) is correct, "atoms not double bonded to S" (the single - bonded O) has 6 dots, so that option is correct. But among the options, the one about six dots associated with non - double - bonded O is correct.

Answer:

The correct features (from the options) are:

• S as the central atom
• correct number of S and O atoms
• six dots (electrons) associated with the O atoms not double bonded to S
• no other lines or dots

(Assuming the sample structure has one double - bonded O and two single - bonded O atoms, the single - bonded O atoms have 3 lone pairs (6 electrons), so the option "six dots (electrons) associated with the O atoms not double bonded to S" is correct, along with the others like S as central, correct number of atoms, and no other lines/dots)