H2SO4 Step 2

Note that H2SO4 requires a little more chemical knowledge than the others.  Knowing that S is the central atom is not enough. We need to know that only the O's are bonded to the central S.  The H's then need to be attached to two of the O's.  One way you might remember this is that SO42- is one of the common polyatomic ions that practicing chemists know about and most students are asked to memorize.  So you start by building the SO4 group and then attaching the H's to the outside.
Picture so Far:
Picture of H2SO4 after step 2
Total Valence Electrons 32
Used so Far  6(2)=12
Remaining 20

Last updated: August 18, 2005
Expires: --