Which is the Lewis structure for H3PO4?

B)

C) :

D)

D)

Question

Which is the Lewis structure for H3PO4?

B) $H \square \ddot{0} \square H$

C) $\ddot{0}$ :

D)

D) $\quad \ddot{H}$

CramX · Accepted Answer

Step 1: : Determine the total number of valence electrons in the Lewis structure for H3PO4.. Phosphorus (P) is in the 5th period and group VA of the periodic table, so it has 5 valence electrons. Each hydrogen (H) atom has 1 valence electron. Therefore, the total number of valence electrons in H3PO4 is: Step 2: : Draw the skeletal structure of H3PO4.. Phosphorus is the central atom, and four sites are occupied by hydrogen atoms or single bonds. The skeletal structure is: ``` H - P - O | H | H ``` Step 3: : Place the remaining valence electrons on the outer atoms as lone pairs.. Since there are 8 valence electrons, and 8 electrons are already in the skeletal structure, there are no more electrons to place. Step 4: : Check the formal charges of the atoms in the Lewis structure.. The formal charge of an atom in a Lewis structure is calculated as follows: For the central phosphorus atom: For each hydrogen atom: For each oxygen atom: Since the formal charges are reasonable (nearby atoms have opposite charges), the Lewis structure is acceptable. Step 5: : Compare the given options to the correct Lewis structure.. The correct Lewis structure for H3PO4 is: ``` H - P : | H | H ``` where the double-bonded oxygen has two lone pairs of electrons. Comparing the given options, the closest match is option D): ![img-3.jpeg](img-3.jpeg) However, the double-bonded oxygen atom should have two lone pairs of electrons. Therefore, the correct option should be: ![img-5.jpeg](img-5.jpeg) Final Answer: The closest correct option is D'), which includes the double-bonded oxygen atom with two lone pairs of electrons.

Q
QuestionChemistry

Answer

Full Solution Locked

Step 1:
: Determine the total number of valence electrons in the Lewis structure for H^3PO^4.

Step 2:
: Draw the skeletal structure of H^3PO^4.

Step 3:
: Place the remaining valence electrons on the outer atoms as lone pairs.

Final Answer

Need Help with Homework?

Related Questions

Company

Explore

Study Tools

QQuestionChemistry

AnswerHelpful