Question

What is the lewis structure for `NO_3^-`?

Answer 1

24 valence electrons (`3xx6+5+1`); 3 atoms possess a formal charge.

Explanation:

`O=N^(+)(-O^-)_2` is the standard Lewis structure. Going from left to right, there are 6 electrons around `O` (hence neutral), 4 electrons around `N` (hence positive), and 7 electrons around the rightmost oxygens (hence each is a formal anion).

The formal charge can be summed to `-1` as required. Of course, the charges are conceived to be delocalized across the structure.