Question

What does the charge on a polyatomic ion mean?

• A. The charge on a polyatomic ion is equivalent to the number of electrons the parent molecule has lost or gained.
• B. It is the number of electrons each atom in the molecule has gained.
• C. That the polyatomic ion doesn't observe the octet rule.
• D. That the polyatomic ion has resonance.

Answer 1

The correct option is D That the polyatomic ion has resonance.

The octet rule states that atoms combine in such a way that each atom has 8 electrons in its valence shell giving it the electronic configuration same as that of the noble gas.Polyatomic ion is an ion containing multiple atoms hence all the atoms attain the stable electronic configuration.