What is the formula of the hydroxide ion?

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 formula of the hydroxide ion?

Explanation:
The key idea is that the hydroxide ion is a negatively charged group made of one oxygen and one hydrogen. The standard way to write it is OH−, showing the extra electron density on the oxygen giving an overall −1 charge. Water, by contrast, is H2O and is neutral, so it cannot be the hydroxide ion. The form OH2 isn’t a recognized species, and while HO− might appear in some contexts, the conventional and widely accepted notation for the hydroxide ion is OH−.

The key idea is that the hydroxide ion is a negatively charged group made of one oxygen and one hydrogen. The standard way to write it is OH−, showing the extra electron density on the oxygen giving an overall −1 charge. Water, by contrast, is H2O and is neutral, so it cannot be the hydroxide ion. The form OH2 isn’t a recognized species, and while HO− might appear in some contexts, the conventional and widely accepted notation for the hydroxide ion is OH−.

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