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Chemistry  /  Chem 0303  ·  Atom · ~20 seconds

Polyatomic Ion

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A polyatomic ion is a group of covalently bonded atoms that carry an overall electric charge and act as one unit.

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The sulfate ion, SO4 2−, moves through a formula and a reaction as a bonded unit, never splitting into loose oxygen atoms.

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Parentheses around a polyatomic ion multiply the whole bonded group, not merely the atom closest to the subscript.