Name the following polyatomic ions: c. HSO₃⁻

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the base polyatomic ion: The base ion here is sulfite, which is SO₃²⁻.
2. Recognize the addition of hydrogen: When a hydrogen ion (H⁺) is added to a polyatomic ion, it reduces the charge by one.
3. Combine the hydrogen with the sulfite ion: Adding H⁺ to SO₃²⁻ results in HSO₃⁻.
4. Name the resulting ion: The addition of hydrogen to a polyatomic ion is indicated by the prefix 'hydrogen'.
5. Thus, the name of HSO₃⁻ is hydrogen sulfite.

Key Concepts

Polyatomic Ions

Polyatomic ions are ions that consist of two or more atoms bonded together, carrying a net charge. They can be positively charged (cations) or negatively charged (anions). Understanding polyatomic ions is essential for naming and writing chemical formulas, as they often appear in various compounds.

Sulfite Ion

The sulfite ion (SO₃²⁻) is a polyatomic ion composed of one sulfur atom and three oxygen atoms, with a net charge of -2. It is important in various chemical reactions and is often encountered in compounds like sodium sulfite. The bisulfite ion (HSO₃⁻) is derived from the sulfite ion by the addition of a hydrogen ion, resulting in a -1 charge.

Naming Conventions

Naming conventions in chemistry provide systematic rules for naming compounds and ions. For polyatomic ions, prefixes and suffixes indicate the number of oxygen atoms and the charge. For example, 'bisulfite' refers to the HSO₃⁻ ion, indicating the presence of a hydrogen atom in the sulfite ion, which alters its charge and name.