polyatomic

(adjective)

Of a molecule or ion consisting of three or more atoms.

Related Terms

Examples of polyatomic in the following topics:

  • Polyatomic Molecules

    • A polyatomic molecule is a single entity composed of at least three covalently-bonded atoms.
    • Polyatomic molecules are electrically neutral groups of three or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.

  • Lewis Structures for Polyatomic Ions

    • Lewis structures for polyatomic ions are drawn by the same methods that we have already learned.

  • Formulas of Ionic Compounds

    • Polyatomic ions are a set of covalently bonded atoms that have an overall charge, making them an ion.
    • When creating ionic compounds with these polyatomic ions, treat them the same way as typical monatomic ions (only one atom).
    • The parentheses were used to indicate that OH was a polyatomic ion and came as a "package deal."
    • Parentheses are always used when the compound contains multiples of the polyatomic ion.

  • Properties of Sulfur

    • Sulfur burns with blue flame, is insoluble in water, and forms polyatomic allotropes.
    • Sulfur is found is different polyatomic allotropic forms.

  • Naming Acids and Bases

    • Any polyatomic ion with the suffix "-ate" uses the suffix "-ic" as an acid.
    • When you have a polyatomic ion with one more oxygen than the "-ate" ion, then your acid will have the prefix "per-" and the suffix "-ic."
    • Most strong bases contain hydroxide, a polyatomic ion.

  • Naming Ionic Compounds

    • Usually, the positively charged portion consists of metal cations and the negatively charged portion is an anion or polyatomic ion.
    • Ions can be single atoms, as the sodium and chlorine in common table salt (sodium chloride), or more complex (polyatomic) groups such as the carbonate in calcium carbonate.
    • If either the cation or the anion was a polyatomic ion, the polyatomic ion name is used in the name of the overall compound.
    • The polyatomic ion name stays the same.

  • Ions

    • An ion consisting of a single atom is a monoatomic ion; an ion consisting of two or more atoms is referred to as a polyatomic ion.
    • These representations can be thought of as equivalent for monoatomic ions, but the Roman numerals cannot be applied to polyatomic ions.
    • Polyatomic and molecular ions can also be formed, generally by gaining or losing elemental ions, such as H+, in neutral molecules.
    • Polyatomic ions are generally very unstable and reactive.

  • Electron Configuration of Cations and Anions

    • Ionization is not limited to individual atoms; polyatomic ions can also be formed.
    • Polyatomic and molecular ions are often created by the addition or removal of elemental ions such as H+ in neutral molecules.
    • The two notations are therefore exchangeable for monatomic ions, but the Roman numerals cannot be applied to polyatomic ions.
    • However, it is possible to mix the notations for the individual metal center with a polyatomic complex, as demonstrated using the uranyl ion (UO2) as an example.

  • Formulas of Ionic Compounds

    • If the anion is a polyatomic ion, its suffix can vary, but is typically either -ate or -ite,as in the cases of sodium phosphate and calcium nitrite, depending on the identity of the ion.
    • A lesson on writing formulas for binary ionic compounds as well as ionic compounds containing polyatomic ions.

  • Salts that Produce Basic Solutions

    • The component ions in a salt can be inorganic; examples include chloride (Cl−), the organic acetate (CH3COO−), and monatomic fluoride (F−), as well as polyatomic ions such as sulfate (SO42−).