What is the difference between polyatomic and simple ions?

Answer 1

A Simple ion is any ion on the Periodic Table.

a Polyatomic ion contains at least two simple ions buy still only forms one compound.

the main polyatomic ions are:

Acetate: (C2H3COO) with a charge of -1

Hydroxide: (OH) with a charge of -1

Bromate: (BrO3) with a charge of -1

Perchlorate: (ClO4) with a charge of -1

Chlorate: (ClO3) with a charge of -1

Chlorite: (ClO2) with a charge of -1

Hypochlorite: (ClO) with a charge of -1

Cyanide: (CN) with a charge of -1

Nitrate: (NO3) with a charge of -1

Nitrite: (NO2) with a charge of -1

Hydrogen Sulfate: (HSO4) with a charge of -1

Hydrogen Sulfite: (HSO3) with a charge of -1

Sulfate: (SO4) with a charge of -2

Sulfite: (SO3) with a charge of -2

Hydrogen Carbonate: (HCO3) with a charge of -1

Carbonate: (CO3) with a charge of -2

Permaganate: (MnO4) with a charge of -1

Peroxide: (O2) with a charge of -2

Dihydrogen Phosphate: (H2PO4) with a charge of -1

Hydrogen Phosphate: (HPO4) with a charge of -2

Phosphate: (PO4) with a charge of -3

Phosphite: (PO3) with a charge of -3

Chromate: (CrO4) with a charge of -2

Dichromate: (Cr2O7) with a charge of -2

Oxalate: (C2O4) with a charge of -2

Arsenate: (AsO4) with a charge of -3

Ammonium (NH4) with a charge of +1

Ammonium is the only Polyatomic Ion with a positive charge.

Remember to make sure it says (for example) ChlorITE not ChlorIDE when using a Polyatomic ion, because Chloride is Cl and Chlorite is ClO2.

:) Hope I helped!

Source(s):Advanced Chemistry Student.