How do polyatomic ions differ from other ions?

1 Answer
Apr 21, 2014

Polyatomic ions contain two or more atoms bonded together in a manner that there is still a charge on the molecule.

Monatomic ions are charged atoms of single element,

Examples of monatomic ions include, sodium ions are #Na^+# and Fluoride ions are #F^−#.

However, examples of polyatomic ions are #NO_3^-#, #PO_4^(−3)# and #NH_4^+#. In each case the ion is composed of more than one atom.

I hope this was helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER