I have to remember a bunch of polyatomic ions by this coming tuesday, and i would like to know the easiest way to do so. I made flashcards but that usually only helps me if i know some of them and i don't know ANY. an example of what i need to know is that
Ammonium symbol is NH(little)4+, and vice versa, and stuff like that. Please help me, and thank you for those who answer! :)
2007-01-05 11:17:45 · 3 answers · asked by Paul B 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
I tell my classes to memorize the "ate" form of the polyatomics. They are the most common ones to find. Then remember that "ite" means one less oxygen, "hypo----ite" means two less oxygen, and "per-----ate" means one more oxygen. That way you only need to really know one form and can determine the others by the suffix.
2007-01-05 11:39:21 · answer #1 · answered by physandchemteach 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep using your flash cards. The only common positive polyatomic ion is the ammonium; learn the -ate forms of the others then remember:
-ite is one less oxygen
-hypo....ite is two less oxygen
per...ate is one more oxygen
As you use them they will be easier to remember.
2007-01-05 12:59:42 · answer #2 · answered by The Old Professor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Geeze! I don't even know what they are! I wasn't good at that in high school, either. Could you make a word or a phrase out of it like "Every Good Boy Does Fine?" type of thing? It's the best I can do, sorry.
2007-01-05 11:26:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋