This chemistry question involves key chemical concepts and calculations. The detailed solution below walks through each step, from identifying the reaction type to computing the final answer.
ScanSolve AI Answer
Step 1: Calculate the total number of valence electrons. Chlorine (Cl) is in Group 17, so it has 7 valence electrons. Oxygen (O) is in Group 16, so it has 6 valence electrons. The ion has a -1 charge, so add 1 electron. Total valence electrons = 7 + (4 × 6) + 1 = 7 + 24 + 1 = 32 electrons. Step 2: Determine the central atom and draw the skeletal structure. Chlorine is less electronegative than oxygen, so it is the central atom. The most stable Lewis structure for ClO_4^- has chlorine forming three double bonds with oxygen atoms and one single bond with