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Multiple Choice
Which of the following ions is classified as a monatomic ion?
A
NO_3^-
B
NH_4^+
C
SO_4^{2-}
D
Na^+
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the definition of a monatomic ion: it is an ion consisting of only one atom with a positive or negative charge.
Examine each ion given in the problem: \(\mathrm{NO_3^-}\) (nitrate), \(\mathrm{NH_4^+}\) (ammonium), and \(\mathrm{SO_4^{2-}}\) (sulfate). Each of these ions contains multiple atoms, so they are polyatomic ions.
Recognize that \(\mathrm{Na^+}\) (sodium ion) consists of a single sodium atom carrying a positive charge, making it a monatomic ion.
Conclude that among the options, \(\mathrm{Na^+}\) is the only monatomic ion because it contains only one atom.
Remember that monatomic ions are often simple metal or nonmetal ions like \(\mathrm{Na^+}\), \(\mathrm{Cl^-}\), \(\mathrm{Ca^{2+}}\), etc., while ions with multiple atoms are polyatomic.