A student evaluates the following Lewis diagram for the carbonate ion, CO₃²⁻: O⁻–C=O…
CHEMISTRY · Single correct · A Level · Chemistry · Bonding · Bonding
Problem
A student evaluates the following Lewis diagram for the carbonate ion, CO₃²⁻:
O⁻–C=O
‖
O
The student claims the only error is that one lone pair is missing on the doubly bonded oxygen. Which additional error, if any, is also present in the diagram?
(a) The negative charges are placed on the wrong oxygen atoms.
(b) No additional error is present; the student’s claim is correct.
(c) The total number of valence electrons represented is too low by two electrons.
(d) The central carbon atom exceeds an octet of electrons.