Question

Select the best Lewis structure(s) for the sulphate ion, $SO_{4}^{2-}$.

Answer 1

"A "Lewis structure" is a "drawing" of a "molecule" that illustrates the compound's connectivity and identifies the ""lone pairs of electrons"" that can be connected to "other molecules".  

"Lines" between two atoms in a "Lewis structure" are covalent bonds and "solitary pair electrons" are drawn as a "pair of points".

In the Lewis structure, each atom must have octet except hydrogen. According to the octet rule, each atom has "eight electrons" in its "valence shell", giving it the same "electron configuration"" as a "noble gas".

The "Lewis structure" of "sulphate ion" is as follows."