i don't really get the idea of what a poly atimic ions is. i couldn't understand the meaning from my textbook. can u plz explain it to me.

thanks alot!!!

poly atomic: make of more than one atom

CO3 is an example

polyatomic ion: made up of more than one atom, and has an excess charge

CO3-2

You need to learn the formulas, names, and charges of these very quickly. I recommend flash cards.

flash card? what is that?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashcard

Of course! I'd be happy to explain polyatomic ions to you.

A polyatomic ion is a charged particle that consists of two or more atoms covalently bonded together and carrying a net electric charge. Unlike simple ions, which consist of only one atom with a positive or negative charge, polyatomic ions are composed of multiple atoms that are bonded together by sharing electrons.

To understand the concept of polyatomic ions, it helps to have knowledge of atoms, elements, and chemical bonding. Atoms are the building blocks of matter, and elements are substances made up of a single type of atom. When atoms chemically bond with each other, they form molecules or compounds.

In the case of polyatomic ions, several atoms combine and form a stable group with a charge. These groups of atoms are collectively referred to as ions because they have an overall positive or negative charge. The charge arises from the gain or loss of electrons during the formation of the ion.

Polyatomic ions can be either positively charged (called cations) or negatively charged (called anions). Cations have more protons than electrons, giving them an overall positive charge. Anions, on the other hand, have more electrons than protons, resulting in an overall negative charge.

The formation of polyatomic ions often involves the gain or loss of electrons, which creates an imbalance and causes the ion to have a charge. For example, the sulfate ion (SO4^2-) consists of one sulfur atom bonded with four oxygen atoms. The sulfur atom has gained two electrons, resulting in an overall charge of -2 for the ion.

Polyatomic ions play a crucial role in chemistry as they participate in various chemical reactions and can combine with other ions or atoms to form compounds. They are commonly found in compounds such as salts, acids, and bases.

To understand specific polyatomic ions and their charges, it is helpful to refer to a comprehensive reference such as a chemistry textbook or an online database. These resources provide a list of common polyatomic ions, their formulas, and charges, which will enable you to understand and use them more effectively.

I hope this explanation helps clarify the concept of polyatomic ions for you. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!