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 contain sulfur and oxygen. ☐ all contain nonmetals only ☐ all represent cations. ☐ all represent anions. ☐ all have a charge.

Explanation:

1. For "All contain 1 sulfur atom": The formulas are $\ce{SO2}$, $\ce{SO3}$, $\ce{SO4^{2-}}$. Each has 1 S atom. So this is correct.
2. For "All contain sulfur and oxygen": $\ce{SO2}$ (S and O), $\ce{SO3}$ (S and O), $\ce{SO4^{2-}}$ (S and O). So this is correct.
3. For "All contain nonmetals only": S (nonmetal), O (nonmetal). So all species have only nonmetals. Correct.
4. For "All represent cations": $\ce{SO2}$ and $\ce{SO3}$ are neutral molecules, $\ce{SO4^{2-}}$ is an anion. So incorrect.
5. For "All represent anions": $\ce{SO2}$ and $\ce{SO3}$ are neutral, so incorrect.
6. For "All have a charge": $\ce{SO2}$ and $\ce{SO3}$ are neutral (charge 0, but 0 is not a net charge like ion charge). $\ce{SO4^{2-}}$ has charge. So incorrect.

Answer:

• All contain 1 sulfur atom.
• All contain sulfur and oxygen.
• All contain nonmetals only.