The Correct Formula for Ammonium Carbonate

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 29 views

Introduction

Polyatomic ions are groups of atoms that carry a charge, often found in compounds. In chemistry, identifying the correct formula for a polyatomic ion is crucial for understanding chemical reactions and properties. In this article, we will focus on the formula for ammonium carbonate, a common polyatomic ion.

What is Ammonium Carbonate?

Ammonium carbonate is a polyatomic ion composed of nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms. It has a charge of -2 and is commonly found in compounds such as ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbonate. The formula for ammonium carbonate is a combination of the ammonium ion (NH4+) and the carbonate ion (CO32-).

The Correct Formula for Ammonium Carbonate

To determine the correct formula for ammonium carbonate, we need to consider the charges of the ammonium and carbonate ions. The ammonium ion has a charge of +1, while the carbonate ion has a charge of -2. To balance the charges, we need to find a combination of ammonium and carbonate ions that results in a net charge of -2.

Option A: $NH_4HCO_3$

Option A, $NH_4HCO_3$ , is a common formula for ammonium bicarbonate, not ammonium carbonate. This formula consists of one ammonium ion and one bicarbonate ion, resulting in a net charge of -1.

Option B: $NH_4CO_3$

Option B, $NH_4CO_3$ , is a possible formula for ammonium carbonate. However, this formula consists of one ammonium ion and one carbonate ion, resulting in a net charge of -1. To balance the charges, we need to add another ammonium ion to the formula.

Option C: $\left(NH_4\right)_2CO_3$

Option C, $\left(NH_4\right)_2CO_3$ , is the correct formula for ammonium carbonate. This formula consists of two ammonium ions and one carbonate ion, resulting in a net charge of -2. The two ammonium ions balance the charge of the carbonate ion, making this the correct formula for ammonium carbonate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct formula for ammonium carbonate is $\left(NH_4\right)_2CO_3$ . This formula consists of two ammonium ions and one carbonate ion, resulting in a net charge of -2. Understanding the correct formula for polyatomic ions is crucial for understanding chemical reactions and properties. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can determine the correct formula for any polyatomic ion.

Common Polyatomic Ions and Their Formulas

Here are some common polyatomic ions and their formulas:

Ammonium ion (NH4+)
Carbonate ion (CO32-)
Bicarbonate ion (HCO3-)
Nitrate ion (NO3-)
Sulfate ion (SO42-)
Phosphate ion (PO43-)

Tips for Identifying Polyatomic Ions

Here are some tips for identifying polyatomic ions:

Look for groups of atoms that carry a charge.
Consider the charges of the individual atoms in the group.
Balance the charges by adding or subtracting atoms.
Use the correct formula for the polyatomic ion.

Practice Problems

Here are some practice problems to help you identify polyatomic ions:

What is the formula for the ammonium ion?
What is the formula for the carbonate ion?
What is the formula for the bicarbonate ion?
What is the formula for the nitrate ion?
What is the formula for the sulfate ion?

Answer Key

Here are the answers to the practice problems:

The formula for the ammonium ion is NH4+.
The formula for the carbonate ion is CO32-.
The formula for the bicarbonate ion is HCO3-.
The formula for the nitrate ion is NO3-.
The formula for the sulfate ion is SO42-.
Frequently Asked Questions: Polyatomic Ions =============================================

Q: What is a polyatomic ion?

A: A polyatomic ion is a group of atoms that carries a charge. Polyatomic ions are often found in compounds and can be positively or negatively charged.

Q: How do I identify a polyatomic ion?

A: To identify a polyatomic ion, look for groups of atoms that carry a charge. Consider the charges of the individual atoms in the group and balance the charges by adding or subtracting atoms.

Q: What is the difference between a polyatomic ion and a molecular ion?

A: A polyatomic ion is a group of atoms that carries a charge, while a molecular ion is a group of atoms that does not carry a charge. Molecular ions are often found in molecules and do not have a net charge.

Q: What are some common polyatomic ions?

A: Some common polyatomic ions include:

Ammonium ion (NH4+)
Carbonate ion (CO32-)
Bicarbonate ion (HCO3-)
Nitrate ion (NO3-)
Sulfate ion (SO42-)
Phosphate ion (PO43-)

Q: How do I determine the charge of a polyatomic ion?

A: To determine the charge of a polyatomic ion, consider the charges of the individual atoms in the group. Add up the charges of the individual atoms and determine the net charge of the group.

Q: What is the formula for the ammonium ion?

A: The formula for the ammonium ion is NH4+.

Q: What is the formula for the carbonate ion?

A: The formula for the carbonate ion is CO32-.

Q: What is the formula for the bicarbonate ion?

A: The formula for the bicarbonate ion is HCO3-.

Q: What is the formula for the nitrate ion?

A: The formula for the nitrate ion is NO3-.

Q: What is the formula for the sulfate ion?

A: The formula for the sulfate ion is SO42-.

Q: What is the formula for the phosphate ion?

A: The formula for the phosphate ion is PO43-.

Q: How do I balance the charges of a polyatomic ion?

A: To balance the charges of a polyatomic ion, add or subtract atoms to the group until the net charge is zero.

Q: What is the difference between a cation and an anion?

A: A cation is a positively charged ion, while an anion is a negatively charged ion.

Q: What is the formula for a cation?

A: The formula for a cation is a group of atoms that carries a positive charge.

Q: What is the formula for an anion?

A: The formula for an anion is a group of atoms that carries a negative charge.

Q: How do I determine the charge of a cation or an anion?

A: To determine the charge of a cation or an anion, consider the charges of the individual atoms in the group. Add up the charges of the individual atoms and determine the net charge of the group.

Q: What is the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid?

A: A strong acid is an acid that completely dissociates in water, while a weak acid is an acid that only partially dissociates in water.

Q: What is the formula for a strong acid?

A: The formula for a strong acid is a group of atoms that carries a positive charge and is completely dissociated in water.

Q: What is the formula for a weak acid?

A: The formula for a weak acid is a group of atoms that carries a positive charge and is only partially dissociated in water.

Q: How do I determine the charge of a strong acid or a weak acid?

A: To determine the charge of a strong acid or a weak acid, consider the charges of the individual atoms in the group. Add up the charges of the individual atoms and determine the net charge of the group.