Question

What is the total number of valence electrons on a phosphite ion `PO_3`?

Answer 1

In `"phosphite ion"`, `(HO)PO_2^(2-)`.............??

Explanation:

Around the central phosphorus atom, there are 5 electrons: `3xxO-P` bonds, and one phosphorus centred lone pair. Around each anionic oxygen atom, there are 7 electrons, i.e. 3 lone pairs, and ONE electron from the `P-O` bond. You can count them up.