Which of the following is the chemical formula for hydrogen sulfite?

The correct choice for the chemical formula of hydrogen sulfite is identified as HSO3-. This formula indicates that the ion includes one hydrogen atom, one sulfur atom, and three oxygen atoms, configured in such a way that it carries a net negative charge of one.

Hydrogen sulfite, also commonly referred to as bisulfite, is derived from sulfurous acid (H2SO3) by removing one hydrogen ion, which results in the negatively charged hydrogen sulfite ion. It's important to note that this ion plays a role in various chemical reactions, especially in organic and inorganic chemistry, where it can act as a reducing agent or a resolver of sulfur compounds.

Understanding the other choices helps in distinguishing why they are not appropriate for hydrogen sulfite. For instance, the first option SO4^2- is the sulfate ion, which has a different composition and charge. The third option, SO3^2-, represents the sulfite ion, which is closely related but lacks the hydrogen atom that makes it hydrogen sulfite. The fourth option, O2^2-, is the peroxide ion, which consists solely of oxygen atoms and is unrelated to sulfur chemistry.

This knowledge of ion composition and naming conventions in chemistry is essential for correctly identifying and working