A polyatomic ion is a cluster of covalently-bonded atoms with a _____ that acts as a unit. neutral charge positive charge positive or negative charge negative charge
A poly-atomic ion is a cluster of covalently bonded atoms with a positive or negative charge.
An ion is an atom of an element that is formed when a neutral atom gains or loses electron(s).
Poly-atomic ions contain atoms that share a net charge. For example, ammonium ion, NH₄⁺ is a polyatomic ion that contains nitrogen and hydrogen atom sharing a positive charge of +1.
Atoms in a poly-atomic ion are covalently bonded, in ammonium NH₄⁺, nitrogen and hydrogen are covalently bonded.
Polyatomic ions react with other ions to form ionic compounds, for example NH₄NO₃, NaOH, CaCO₃, etc.
Other examples of polyatomic ions include SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, CO₃²⁻, and OH⁻ among others.
