Multiple Choice
What is the charge of the phosphate ion in K3PO4?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Polyatomic Ions
Multiple Choice
Which of these pairs of elements is most likely to be found together in a common polyatomic ion?
A
Magnesium and Sulfur
B
Nitrogen and Oxygen
C
Sodium and Chlorine
D
Potassium and Bromine
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand what a polyatomic ion is — it is a charged species composed of two or more atoms covalently bonded, that together carry a net charge.
Step 2: Recognize that polyatomic ions typically consist of nonmetals bonded to each other, often involving elements like nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus.
Step 3: Analyze each pair: Magnesium and Sulfur are a metal and a nonmetal, which usually form ionic compounds rather than polyatomic ions.
Step 4: Sodium and Chlorine, as well as Potassium and Bromine, are pairs of metals and halogens that form simple ionic salts, not polyatomic ions.
Step 5: Nitrogen and Oxygen are both nonmetals and commonly combine to form well-known polyatomic ions such as nitrate (\(\mathrm{NO_3^-}\)) and nitrite (\(\mathrm{NO_2^-}\)), making them the most likely pair to be found together in a common polyatomic ion.
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