1. Lewis Structure:
* Sulfur (S) has 6 valence electrons.
* Oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons.
* Total valence electrons: 6 (S) + 3 * 6 (O) = 24
The Lewis structure of SO₃ shows sulfur double-bonded to each of the three oxygen atoms. This satisfies the octet rule for all atoms.
2. Formal Charge Calculation:
* Formal Charge = (Valence Electrons) - (Non-bonding Electrons) - (1/2 Bonding Electrons)
* For Sulfur (S):
* Valence Electrons = 6
* Non-bonding Electrons = 0
* Bonding Electrons = 12 (6 bonds * 2 electrons per bond)
* Formal Charge = 6 - 0 - (1/2 * 12) = 0
Therefore, the formal charge on the sulfur atom in SO₃ is 0.
