Draw the Lewis Structure for the ionic compound Na2SO4.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Lewis Structure of Na₂SO₄ (Sodium Sulfate)
To draw the Lewis structure for sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄), follow these steps:
Step 1: Identify the Atoms and Their Valence Electrons
- Sodium (Na): Belongs to Group 1, so it has 1 valence electron.
- Sulfur (S): Belongs to Group 16, so it has 6 valence electrons.
- Oxygen (O): Belongs to Group 16, so each oxygen has 6 valence electrons.
Step 2: Determine the Ionic Nature
- Sodium sulfate is an ionic compound, meaning sodium donates electrons to form Na⁺ ions, and sulfate forms a polyatomic ion (SO₄²⁻).
- Each Na atom loses 1 electron, creating Na⁺ ions.
- The sulfate ion (SO₄²⁻) has an overall charge of -2.
Step 3: Draw the Lewis Structure of SO₄²⁻
- Sulfur is the central atom, surrounded by four oxygens.
- Sulfur forms double bonds with two oxygens and single bonds with the other two oxygens, which carry negative charges.
- The total valence electrons used:
- Sulfur: 6
- Oxygen: (6 × 4) = 24
- Extra 2 electrons (from the -2 charge).
- Total: 32 valence electrons.
Step 4: Place the Ions Together
- Sodium ions (Na⁺) are placed separately outside the sulfate ion since ionic bonds do not involve shared electrons.
Final Lewis Structure
- Na₂SO₄ is represented as:
- [ SO₄²⁻ ] with its correct oxygen bonding.
- Two separate Na⁺ ions are placed outside the bracket.
This structure shows ionic bonding between Na⁺ and SO₄²⁻ while SO₄²⁻ itself has covalent bonding within.
Would you like a diagram to visualize it?