What is the fractional bond order of the bond in the sulphate ion ()? — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Bond Order in a resonating molecule = (Total number of bonds between bonded atoms in all resonating structures) / (Number of resonating structures). For $SO_4^{2-}$, there are 6 bonds distributed equally among 4 oxygen atoms. $B.O. = \frac{6}{4} = 1.5$.