MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

Step-by-step solution

The most stable Lewis structure of sulphuric acid (H_2SO_4) minimizes the formal charge by expanding the octet of the central sulphur atom. In this structure, sulphur forms two double bonds with two oxygen atoms and two single bonds with two hydroxyl (-OH) groups. The formula for formal charge is: Formal charge = (Valence electrons) - (Non-bonding electrons) - 1 2 (Bonding electrons) For the sulphur atom in H_2SO_4: Number of valence electrons = 6 Number of non-bonding electrons = 0 Number of bonding electrons = 12 (since it forms 6 bonds) Formal charge = 6 - 0 - 12 2 = 0 Answer: 0