What is the formula of the nitrate 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 nitrate ion?

Explanation:
Formulas of ions show both which atoms are present and the overall charge. The nitrate ion is a negatively charged polyatomic ion made of one nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms, with an overall charge of -1. This is written as NO3-, reflecting the extra electron density and the resonance that makes all N–O bonds equivalent. The other strings don’t fit: NO2- is a different ion (nitrite) with two oxygens; NO3 is a neutral molecule, not an ion; NO- is not the nitrate ion. So the correct representation for nitrate is NO3-.

Formulas of ions show both which atoms are present and the overall charge. The nitrate ion is a negatively charged polyatomic ion made of one nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms, with an overall charge of -1. This is written as NO3-, reflecting the extra electron density and the resonance that makes all N–O bonds equivalent. The other strings don’t fit: NO2- is a different ion (nitrite) with two oxygens; NO3 is a neutral molecule, not an ion; NO- is not the nitrate ion. So the correct representation for nitrate is NO3-.

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