3. What are polyatomic ions? Give examples.

polyatomic ions examples:

Question 3. What are polyatomic ions? Give examples.

Answer:

In an ionic compound, entities either lose or gain an electron(s). When a group of atoms shares the transferred electron, we call such a group as a polyatomic ion. For example, in sulphuric acid (H2SO4); sulphite ion is (HSO4). Here sulphite ion shares one electron between one hydrogen atom, a sulphur atom and 4 oxygen atoms. Thus it is a polyatomic ion.

How is it different from a typical ion?

In practical chemistry, polyatomic ion holds no special significance than typical ion. For the sake of definition purpose, a typical ion is an ion which shares the charge by a single atom. For example, in common salt (NaCl) Sodium loses an electron and forms a sodium ion while chlorine atom receives the electron and forms chloride ion. Here charge is shared by only one atom.

Examples of polyatomic ions:

Depending on the charge, it can be polyatomic cation or anion.

Polyatomic Cation: Ammonium ion (NH4+), Mercury(I) (Hg22+), Hydronium Ion (H3O+)

Polyatomic Anion: Nitrate ions (NO3), Sulphate ions (SO42-), etc.

Next: Question 4. Write the chemical formulae of the following.

See also: Question on the law of conservation of mass and constant proportion. Question 1 and 2.

 

Ref: NCERT Science class 9 chapter 3.

polyatomic ions examples

 

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