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Quizzes > High School Quizzes > Science

Polyatomic Ions Practice Quiz

Sharpen your skills with focused practice questions

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 10
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper art promoting Polyatomic Power Play trivia for high school chemistry students.

What is a polyatomic ion?
An ion composed of two or more atoms covalently bonded with a net charge.
A single atom with a net charge.
A molecule that only contains neutral atoms.
An atom paired with an electron to balance its charge.
A polyatomic ion is a charged species composed of two or more covalently bonded atoms. It has a net positive or negative charge due to the gain or loss of electrons.
Which of the following is a polyatomic ion?
Sulfate (SO4²❻)
Sodium (Na❺)
Chlorine (Cl❻)
Magnesium (Mg²❺)
Sulfate ion consists of one sulfur atom bonded to four oxygen atoms with a 2❻ charge, making it a polyatomic ion. The others are single-element ions.
What is the charge of the ammonium ion (NH4❺)?
+1
-1
-2
+2
Ammonium (NH4❺) carries a positive charge of +1 as indicated by its formula. This distinguishes it from anions which have negative charges.
What is the chemical formula for the nitrate ion?
NO3❻
NO2❻
NO3²❻
N2O4
Nitrate is correctly represented as NO3❻ with one nitrogen atom bonded to three oxygen atoms. The other options either have incorrect numbers of oxygen atoms or incorrect charges.
What is the charge of the sulfate ion (SO4)?
2❻
1❻
1❺
2❺
Sulfate is commonly known as SO4²❻, carrying a charge of 2❻. The other charges do not match standard sulfate ion nomenclature.
Which of the following compounds contains a polyatomic ion?
CaCO3 (Calcium carbonate)
NaCl (Sodium chloride)
KBr (Potassium bromide)
MgO (Magnesium oxide)
Calcium carbonate contains the carbonate ion (CO3²❻), which is a polyatomic ion made up of one carbon and three oxygen atoms. The other compounds contain only monatomic ions.
What is the correct name for the PO4³❻ ion?
Phosphate
Phosphite
Peroxide
Hypophosphate
PO4³❻ is known as the phosphate ion. Phosphite (PO3³❻) and the other options refer to different species or are not standard nomenclature.
Which of the following represents the hydroxide ion?
OH❻
HO
O❻H
H2O❻
The hydroxide ion consists of one oxygen and one hydrogen atom with a negative charge, represented as OH❻. The other forms do not accurately depict its structure or include the proper charge notation.
Which polyatomic ion is present in sodium bicarbonate?
Bicarbonate (HCO3❻)
Sulfate (SO4²❻)
Nitrite (NO2❻)
Chlorate (ClO3❻)
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) contains the bicarbonate ion (HCO3❻), which plays a key role in its chemical behavior. The other ions are not found in sodium bicarbonate.
Which of the following ions carries a positive charge?
Ammonium (NH4❺)
Nitrate (NO3❻)
Sulfate (SO4²❻)
Carbonate (CO3²❻)
Ammonium (NH4❺) is the only common polyatomic ion with a positive charge. The other options are anions with negative charges.
Which of the following ions is known as nitrite?
NO2❻
NO3❻
NO❻
N2O3
Nitrite is represented by the formula NO2❻ with one nitrogen atom and two oxygen atoms. Nitrate, on the other hand, is NO3❻ and the other formulas are not standard representations.
Which of the following correctly represents the hypochlorite ion?
ClO❻
ClO2❻
Cl2O❻
Cl❻
Hypochlorite is denoted by ClO❻ and contains one chlorine and one oxygen atom with a negative charge. The other formulas represent different species or omit necessary elements.
What is the correct formula for magnesium nitrate?
Mg(NO3)2
Mg(NO3)
Mg2(NO3)3
Mg3(NO3)2
Magnesium nitrate is composed of one magnesium ion (Mg²❺) and two nitrate ions (NO3❻), which balances the charges to form a neutral compound. The other options do not correctly balance the charges.
What is the chemical formula for the bicarbonate ion?
HCO3❻
CO3²❻
HCO3❺
H2CO3
Bicarbonate is represented as HCO3❻ with one hydrogen, one carbon, and three oxygen atoms carrying a single negative charge. The other options either lack the correct components or have incorrect charges.
Which polyatomic ion consists of one phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms?
Phosphate (PO4³❻)
Phosphite (PO3³❻)
Peroxide (O2²❻)
Hypophosphite (H2PO2❻)
Phosphate is characterized by one phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms in the formula PO4³❻. The other options have different compositions and do not match this pattern.
When balancing chemical reactions, why is it important to treat polyatomic ions as a single unit?
Because their internal bonds remain intact during the reaction.
Because they do not participate in the reaction at all.
Because they always break apart into individual atoms.
Because they change their oxidation states randomly.
Treating polyatomic ions as a unit simplifies balancing by preserving the covalent bonds within the ion. This method ensures that both the overall charge and the number of atoms are accurately balanced in the reaction.
A compound is formed when aluminum ions combine with sulfate ions. What is the correct formula for aluminum sulfate?
Al2(SO4)3
AlSO4
Al3(SO4)2
Al2SO4
Aluminum ions have a charge of +3 and sulfate ions have a charge of -2, requiring two aluminum ions and three sulfate ions to balance the charges, resulting in Al2(SO4)3. The other formulas result in an imbalance of charge.
In the bicarbonate ion (HCO3❻), what is the oxidation state of carbon?
+4
+2
0
-4
By applying oxidation state rules with hydrogen as +1 and oxygen as -2, carbon in HCO3❻ must have an oxidation state of +4 to balance the overall charge. This calculation confirms the oxidation state based on the known charges of the other atoms.
Which of the following best explains why many sulfate salts are less soluble in water compared to chloride salts?
High lattice energy in sulfate salts reduces their solubility.
Sulfate ions form stronger hydrogen bonds with water, decreasing solubility.
Sulfate salts have a higher molecular weight that impedes dissolution.
Chloride ions have a more complex structure that promotes solubility.
The higher lattice energy in many sulfate salts means more energy is required to separate the ions, leading to lower solubility. This contrasts with chloride salts, which typically have lower lattice energies and dissolve more readily in water.
Which factor most significantly influences the naming of oxyanions in polyatomic ions?
The number of oxygen atoms present in the ion.
The atomic mass of the central atom.
The ion's physical state at room temperature.
The ion's reactivity with metals.
The naming of oxyanions, such as 'hypochlorite' or 'perchlorate,' is primarily based on the number of oxygen atoms present. This count dictates the use of specific prefixes and suffixes, which is essential in correctly naming the ion.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify and name common polyatomic ions encountered in high school chemistry.
  2. Analyze the structure and composition of polyatomic ions to understand their charge distribution.
  3. Apply molecular formulas to balance chemical equations involving polyatomic ions.
  4. Synthesize oxidation state concepts to predict ion behavior in various compounds.
  5. Evaluate chemical reactions to determine the role of polyatomic ions in compound formation.

Polyatomic Practice Cheat Sheet

  1. Polyatomic ions overview - Polyatomic ions are like chemical tag‑alongs made of two or more atoms bonded together with an overall charge. They behave as a single unit in reactions, so you can spot them showing up again and again in your chemistry homework. Polyatomic ion - Wikipedia
  2. Common examples - Some polyatomic ions are more popular than others, like sulfate (SO₄²❻), nitrate (NO₃❻), and ammonium (NH₄❺). Familiarizing yourself with their formulas and charges is like learning the chemical emojis - once you see them, you'll recognize them everywhere! Common polyatomic ions - Wikipedia
  3. Naming conventions - The suffix "‑ate" means more oxygen, and "‑ite" means one fewer oxygen. For instance, sulfate (SO₄²❻) has one extra oxygen compared to sulfite (SO₃²❻), keeping you in the know for naming fun. Naming tips - Sciencing
  4. Hydrogen addition trick - Adding a hydrogen atom to a polyatomic ion lowers its negative charge by one because you're adding a positive H❺. For example, HPO₄²❻ (hydrogen phosphate) vs. H₂PO₄❻ (dihydrogen phosphate) shows how charges shift. Hydrogen ion hack - Sciencing
  5. Mnemonic magic - Mnemonics like "Nick the Camel ATE a CLAM for SUPper in PhoeniX" help you memorize ions by counting consonants and vowels for charges and oxygens. Turn your study session into a catchy chorus and never forget another formula! Mnemonic devices - Sciencing
  6. Formula writing practice - Combine polyatomic ions with counter‑ions to build neutral compounds, juggling charges until the total positive and negative charges cancel out. Practice makes perfect, so grab some blank paper and start balancing like a chemistry pro! Chemical formulas - Wikipedia
  7. Charge memorization - Many polyatomic ions have fixed charges (like NO₃❻ or SO₄²❻), and knowing them by heart is essential for predicting reaction outcomes. Make flashcards or use spaced repetition apps to lock in those charges ASAP! Common ions chart - Wikipedia
  8. Acid‑base players - Polyatomic ions can act as acids (donating H❺) or bases (accepting H❺), depending on the reaction context. Spotting when they behave in acid - base chemistry will earn you extra credit in class! Acid - base reactions - Wikipedia
  9. Solubility insights - Polyatomic ions can greatly influence a compound's solubility; for instance, nitrates (NO₃❻) are almost always water‑soluble, making them perfect for splashy experiments. Keep a solubility table handy for quick checks! Solubility rules - Wikipedia
  10. Lewis structure sketches - Drawing Lewis structures helps you visualize bonding patterns and electron pairs in polyatomic ions, sharpening your understanding of molecular shape and charge distribution. Grab your pencil and practice those dots and dashes! Lewis structures - Wikipedia
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