Question

What are polyatomic ions? Give two examples.

Answer 1

A polyatomic ion, also known as a molecular ion, is a charged chemical species (ion) composed of two or more atoms covalently bonded or of a metal complex that can be considered to be acting as a single unit. The prefix poly- means "many," in Greek, but even ions of two atoms are commonly referred to as polyatomic.

Examples: Carbonate (CO₃^2-), sulphate (SO₄^2-), nitrate - NO₃^- and hydroxide ions OH^- are all polyatomic ions.