4
$\begingroup$

Possible Duplicate:
Can an atom have more than 8 valence electrons? If not, why is 8 the limit?

I was watching this youtube clip ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY1XLgHUAIQ ) in which a lewis diagram was drawn for a sulfite ion.

Sulfur ends up with four bonds as well as a lone pair of electrons. This gives sulfur 10 electrons. Isn't this too many?

|improve this question
$\endgroup$

marked as duplicate by F'x Oct 30 '12 at 21:27

This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.

  • $\begingroup$ Hi DLA, it is a nice question. It has been asked already, in a somewhat more generic manner, so I am closing yours as a duplicate. The short answer is: yes, it is possible! This behavior of elements from the third period and lower is called hypervalence. $\endgroup$ – F'x Oct 30 '12 at 21:29

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.