Polyatomic Ions
Part of the Structure and Bonding section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 5 of 49.
A polyatomic ion is a group of bonded atoms with one charge on the whole group.
The hydroxide ion, OH⁻: one unit, one charge
OH⁻, NO₃⁻, HCO₃⁻, CO₃²⁻, SO₄²⁻, PO₄³⁻ and NH₄⁺ are the ones to know.
More than one of the same polyatomic ion goes in brackets: Ca(OH)₂, Al₂(SO₄)₃.
Challenge
Calcium phosphate is the mineral of bones and teeth. Combine calcium ions and phosphate ions into a neutral compound.
Try it yourself
Ion combinerMake a neutral compound
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Structure and Bonding
1Ionic Bonding
Why Atoms BondForming IonsThe Ionic BondIonic FormulasPolyatomic IonsIonic LatticesRecap - Salt Factory2Covalent Bonds
Sharing ElectronsCounting Valence ElectronsDrawing Lewis StructuresDouble and Triple BondsLone PairsFormal ChargeLewis Structures of IonsRecap - Molecule Builder