Which of the following ions corresponds to sulfite?

The correct answer is corresponding to sulfite, which is represented by the chemical formula SO3 2-. Sulfite ions consist of sulfur and oxygen, specifically one sulfur atom bonded to three oxygen atoms, with an overall charge of -2.

Understanding the structure of sulfite is key. The sulfur atom is at the center, with three oxygen atoms surrounding it, and two of the oxygen atoms typically have single bonds, while one has a double bond due to resonance structures that depict the distribution of electrons.

In contrast, the other options represent different ions. For instance, the sulfate ion is SO4 2-, featuring one additional oxygen atom compared to sulfite. The hydrogen sulfate ion, HSO4-, is a protonated form of sulfate, while the nitrate ion, NO3-, comprises nitrogen and three oxygen atoms, representing a completely different chemical species.

Thus, recognizing the composition and charge of the sulfite ion leads to identifying SO3 2- as the correct representation of sulfite.