What is the charge on a nitrate ion?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Study for the IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the charge on a nitrate ion?

Explanation:
Ions carry a net charge because they have more or fewer electrons than protons. Nitrate is NO3−, which shows there is one extra electron in the ion. If you assign oxidation states, nitrogen is +5 and each oxygen is −2. So total charge = (+5) + 3(−2) = +5 − 6 = −1. That means the whole ion has one negative charge, written as −1 (or 1−). The other possibilities would not match the actual number of electrons shown in the formula; 0 would be neutral, while 2− or 3− would require more extra electrons than the ion has.

Ions carry a net charge because they have more or fewer electrons than protons. Nitrate is NO3−, which shows there is one extra electron in the ion. If you assign oxidation states, nitrogen is +5 and each oxygen is −2. So total charge = (+5) + 3(−2) = +5 − 6 = −1. That means the whole ion has one negative charge, written as −1 (or 1−). The other possibilities would not match the actual number of electrons shown in the formula; 0 would be neutral, while 2− or 3− would require more extra electrons than the ion has.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy