What is the difference in a polyatomic ion that has its name end in (-ate) as compared to one with the same central element that ends in (-ite)

It's the number of O atoms in the polyatomic ion.

Na2SO4 is sodium sulfATE.
Na2SO3 is sodium sulfITE.
NaNO3 is sodium nitrATE.
NaNO2 is sodium nitrITE
Na3PO4 is sodium phosphATE.
Na3PO3 is sodium phosphITE
There is arsenate and arsenite
There is chlorate and chlorite
There is bromate ad bromite.

The difference between a polyatomic ion that has its name end in (-ate) and one that ends in (-ite) lies in the number of oxygen atoms present in the ion. The (-ate) and (-ite) endings are used to indicate different oxidation states or the number of oxygen atoms in the ion.

To understand this difference, you would first need to know the central element and its valence state. Next, you would need to determine the oxidation state or the number of oxygen atoms the ion contains. The valence state and the number of oxygen atoms together give the ion its specific name.

To explain how to figure out the difference in a given polyatomic ion, here are the steps:

1. Identify the central element: Determine the chemical symbol of the central element in the polyatomic ion. For example, let's take the sulfate ion (SO4^2-) as an example, where the central element is sulfur (S).

2. Determine the oxidation state: Look at the charge of the polyatomic ion to determine the oxidation state of the central element. In the sulfate ion example, the charge is 2-, so sulfur must have an oxidation state of +6 since each oxygen atom carries a charge of -2.

3. Compare (-ate) and (-ite) endings: If the central element has a higher oxidation state, the polyatomic ion is named with an (-ate) ending. For example, the sulfate ion (SO4^2-) has an (-ate) ending because sulfur has a higher oxidation state (+6). If the central element has a lower oxidation state, the polyatomic ion is named with an (-ite) ending.

4. Adjust the number of oxygen atoms: The (-ite) ending indicates that the polyatomic ion has one less oxygen atom compared to the (-ate) form. For example, the sulfite ion (SO3^2-) has one less oxygen atom than the sulfate ion.

In summary, the difference between a polyatomic ion with (-ate) and (-ite) endings lies in the oxidation state or the number of oxygen atoms present in the ion. The (-ate) ending is used for the polyatomic ion with a higher oxidation state and more oxygen atoms, while the (-ite) ending is used for the polyatomic ion with a lower oxidation state and fewer oxygen atoms.