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QuestionChemistry

Draw the Lewis structure for the polyatomic hydronium H^3O+ cation. Be sure to include all resonance structures.
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Answer

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Step 1:
I'll solve this problem step by step, following the specified LaTeX formatting guidelines:

Step 2:
: Determine the total number of valence electrons

- Total valence electrons: $$3 + 6 - 1 = 8$$ electrons
- Oxygen atom: 6 valence electrons

Step 3:
: Arrange atoms

- Place oxygen in the center - Attach three hydrogen atoms to the oxygen

Step 4:
: Connect atoms with single bonds

- This uses $$3 \times 2 = 6$$ electrons
- Draw single bonds between oxygen and each hydrogen

Step 5:
: Complete the octet for oxygen

- Remaining $$8 - 6 = 2$$ electrons go as a lone pair on oxygen

Step 6:
: Draw resonance structures

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Final Answer

The hydronium ion H_{3}O^{+} has three equivalent resonance structures with the positive charge and lone pair distributed among the oxygen-hydrogen bonds.