What is the atomicity of sodium nitrate?

1 Answer
Dec 8, 2017

Excuse me while I check what "atomicity" is...

Explanation:

You gots "sodium nitrate...", Na^(+)NO_3^(-)...

A resonance structure of the nitrate ion features charge separation in that the nitrogen atom is QUATERNIZED, and bears a formal positive charge. And given this condition, TWO of the oxygen atoms must bear a formal negative charge in order to give an overall negative charge on the molecule....

O=stackrel(+)N(-O)_2^(-) ....this resonance structure distributes 3xx6+5+1=24*"valence electrons" around four centres...

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Of course I can distribute the negative charges about the oxygen centres....