If I remember the elements in a polyatomic ion, could i figure out the charge without memorizing it?
2007-10-25 16:30:39 · 4 answers · asked by Dmac 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
There are no set rules for polyatomic ions like there are for elements on the periodic table.
You have to memorize, but here is what helped me:
Realize most are negatively charged... (with a few exceptions)
If H is in front, the charge goes down one. if the Hydrogen is H2 then the charge goes down 2.
A mnemonic that I used was, I put them all in groups of like -1 , -2, and -3 associated each name with a person or thing. For example all the girls in group -1 are snobs. Cindy (really CN) is a snob) all the snobby girls in group 1 say NO all the time (NO2, NO3) and smell like chlorine (chlorate, chlorite... etc) ... The girls in of -2 are fun-loving... they have a pet ox (oxalate) and they drink carbonated drinks...
Not very scientific... but always pops back when you forget during an exam.
2007-10-25 17:05:48 · answer #1 · answered by db 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time polyatomic ions in the same family will carry the same charge (for example, nitrate and nitrite are NO3 and NO2 and both carry a -1 charge; perchlorate, chlorate, chlorite, and hypochlorite are ClO4, ClO3, ClO2, and ClO, each with a -1 charge) but it does not always hold true.
2007-10-25 23:40:42 · answer #2 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just know where they are on the periodic table (i.e. which column theyre in). Elements in column 1 form a +1 charge, in column 2 a +2 charge, up to 8 and then back again.
2007-10-25 23:33:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you know the charges of the elements yep.
2007-10-25 23:32:31 · answer #4 · answered by aerothen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋