A polyatomic ion is seen as a molecule that has been ionized by gaining or losing electrons. In a polyatomic ion, the group of covalently bonded atoms carries a net charge because the total number of electrons in the molecule is not equal to the total number of protons in the molecule. Take up the quiz below to see how much you understood about the ions.
Polyatomic Ions Quiz
A polyatomic ion is a charged particle that has two or more atoms held together by covalent (sharing of pairs of electrons) bonds
Some rules:
1. Ions that end in ate have oxygen in them.
2. Elements in the same family make similar ions. So for example, if you know chlorate, you also know bromate and iodate too (BrO3-, and IO3-). There are some exceptions. Nitrate is not like phosphate even though nitrogen and phosphorus are in the same group. However, arsenate is like phosphate.
Polyatomic Ions Test Answers
1 What is the name of this chemical? NH4+
- Ammonium
- Nitrite
- Hydroxide
2. Dichromates are toxic substances that are usually insoluble in water. What is the formula for this polyatomic ion?
- Cr2O8 (2-)
- Cr2O7 (2-)
3. What is the name of this chemical? CrO42-
- Phosphate
- Carbonate
- Chromate
4. What is the name of this chemical? ClO(1-)
- Chlorite
- Chlorate
- Hypochlorite
5. Hydroxide is a popular ion used in bases. What is its formula?
- OH (1-)
- H (1+)
- H2O
- O2H (-3)
6. What is the formula for sodium nitrate?
- NaN
- NaNO2
- NaNO3
- Na3N
7. Potassium permanganate is not something I would recommend tasting. It’s said that consuming 10-20 grams of the stuff could kill a person. What is the formula for the polyatomic ion, permanganate?
- MnO4 (1-)
- MnO4 (2-)
- MnO3 (2-)
- MnO3 (1-)
8. Acetate can be shown as C2H3O2- or CH3COO-.
- True
- False
9. What ionic compound is form between lithium and carbonate?
- LiCO3
- LiC3
- Li2CO3
10. What is the formula for ammonium sulfate?
- NH42SO4
- NH4(SO4)2
- (NH4)2SO4
11. What is the name of K3PO4?
- Potassium phosphate
- Potassium phosphide
- Tripotassium Phosphite
12. Which of these polyatomic ions is ammonium (don’t confuse it with ammonia)?
- NH4 (1+)
- NH (1-)
- NH3
- NH2 (1-)
13. What is the name of the compound Li3N?
- Lithium Nitrogen
- Lithium-3 Nitride
- Lithium Nitride
14. What is the name of this chemical? NO,3(1-)
- Nitrite
- Nitrate
15. What is the name of this chemical? CN(1-)
- Cyanide
- Carbonate
- Chlorate
16. What is the name of this chemical? Cr₂O₇²⁻
- Bromite
- Cyanide
- Dichromate
17. Hydroxide is:
- OH
- HO
- OH-1
18. OH- is:
- Nitrite
- Carbonate
- Hydroxide
19. What does the ion phosphate contain?
- 1 phosphorus, 4 oxygen, to the third power negative
- 1 phosphorus, 4 oxygen, to the second power negative
- 2 phosphorus, 4 oxygen, to the third power negative
20. What is the difference between sulfate and sulfite?
- There is no difference, they are the same thing.
- Sulfate has one more oxygen than sulfite.
- Sulfate has a positive charge while sulfite has a negative charge.
Common Polyatomic Ions to Learn
