Question

Question #79430

Answer 1

Polyatomic ions are covalently bonded within the ion, but they form ionic bonds to other ions.

Explanation:

The only difference between a molecule and an ion is the number of valence electrons.

Since molecules are covalently bonded, their polyatomic ions are also covalently bonded.

For example, in the Lewis structure of sulfate ion, `"SO"_4^"2-"`, the bonds between the S and O atoms are all covalent.

Once the sulfate ion, `"SO"_4^"2-"` has formed, it can form ionic bonds by electrostatic attractions to positive ions such as `"Na"^+` and form the ionic compound `"Na"_2"SO"_4`.