Natural Science Puzzler

Below are four possible electron dot notation diagrams for combining one sulfer atom with three oxygen atoms. One diagram represents sulfite ( SO₃^2- ), one of the polyatomic ions we discussed in class. Another is the compound sulfer trioxide, a nasty liquid that reacts vigorously with water to produce sulfuric acid. Two of the diagrams represent nothing found in nature.

• State which one is sulfite.
• State which one is sulfer trioxide.
• Briefly describe why the other two do not exist in nature.

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