Polyatomic Ions?

Question

Why do polyatomic ions form, and is there any way to predict this behavior such as there is for monatomic ions? Also, is there any way to predict the charge of a monatomic ion? Be as complex as you like...

Answer 1

Polyatomic ions form if a molecule carries a net non-zero charge. This happens when the inter atomic bonds in the ion are strong enough to counter dissociation.

Generally charges of some standard mono atomic ions are assumed.