What is the charge on the carbonate ion?

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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 the carbonate ion?

Explanation:
The charge of a polyatomic ion comes from the total number of electrons relative to protons in the whole unit. For carbonate, CO3, the three oxygens contribute a total of -6 in oxidation state. To balance that and give the overall charge, the carbon must be +4, so the sum is +4 + (-6) = -2. Equivalently, there are two extra electrons in the ion, giving a net charge of -2. This is why carbonate is written as CO3 with a 2- charge (often shown as CO3^2−).

The charge of a polyatomic ion comes from the total number of electrons relative to protons in the whole unit. For carbonate, CO3, the three oxygens contribute a total of -6 in oxidation state. To balance that and give the overall charge, the carbon must be +4, so the sum is +4 + (-6) = -2. Equivalently, there are two extra electrons in the ion, giving a net charge of -2. This is why carbonate is written as CO3 with a 2- charge (often shown as CO3^2−).

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