So4 -2 Lewis - Structure [portable]

Net charge = (+1) + 3×(–1) + 0 = –2 → better but not optimal.

To draw the Lewis structure for the sulfate ion ( SO42−cap S cap O sub 4 raised to the 2 minus power so4 -2 lewis structure

The total charge sums to $4(-1) + 2 = -2$, which matches the ion’s charge. However, the large separation of formal charge ($+2$ on S, $-1$ on O) is energetically unfavorable. To alleviate this, lone pairs from the oxygen atoms are converted into double bonds with sulfur. Net charge = (+1) + 3×(–1) + 0

According to the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, the molecular geometry is determined by the repulsion between electron pairs around the central atom. which matches the ion’s charge. However