Question

(a) What are polyatomic ions? Give two examples.

(b) Name the fundamental law that is involved in every equation.

Answer 1

(a) A polyatomic ion is a group of atoms carrying the positive or negative charge.

e.g.

Polyatomic ions Symbol

Ammonium $(N{H}_4{)}^{+}$

Hydroxide $O{H}^{-}$

Nitrate $N{O}_3^{-}$

Hydrogen carbonate $HC{O}_3^{-}$

Sulphate $(S{O}_4{)}^{2-}$

Sulphite $(S{O}_3{)}^{2-}$

Phosphate $(P{O}_4{)}^{3-}$

Carbonate $(C{O}_3{)}^{2-}$

(b) The law of conservation of mass is involved in every equation. The amount of reactant must be equal to the amount of product, there is no demolishing of quantities