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Quizzes > Science

Polyatomic Ions Quiz: Names, Formulas, and Charges

Quick, free polyatomic quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Smith McneillUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz graphic featuring polyatomic ion formulas names and playful shapes on teal background

This polyatomic ions quiz helps you practice the names, formulas, and charges you will see in class. If you want more drill, try our common polyatomic ions quiz or sharpen naming with polyatomic naming practice. For a faster challenge, switch to polyatomic ions practice and keep your skills fresh.

What is the formula for the sulfate ion?
SO4^2-
SO4^-
SO3^-
SO3^2-
The sulfate ion consists of one sulfur atom covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms and carries a net charge of - 2. This is correctly represented as SO4^2 - . Sulfite has only three oxygens, and the other formulas do not reflect the proper charge or number of oxygens.
What is the name of the NO3- ion?
Nitrite
Nitride
Nitroxide
Nitrate
The NO3 - ion is called nitrate and carries a - 1 charge. Nitrite (NO2 - ) has only two oxygen atoms, nitride refers to N3 - , and nitroxide is not a recognized simple polyatomic ion.
What is the charge on the carbonate ion?
+2
- 2
- 1
- 3
Carbonate (CO3^2 - ) consists of one carbon atom surrounded by three oxygens and carries a - 2 charge. The - 1 and - 3 charges correspond to other ions, and +2 is not correct for carbonate.
Which polyatomic ion has the formula OH-?
Oxygenate
Hydrate
Hydroxide
Oxide
OH - is the hydroxide ion, a common base in aqueous chemistry. Oxide is O2 - , oxygenate is not a simple polyatomic ion name, and hydrate refers to water of crystallization.
What is the name of the HCO3- ion?
Bicarbonate
Carboxylate
Carbonate
Hydrogen carbonate
HCO3 - is commonly known as bicarbonate or hydrogen carbonate, but bicarbonate is the more widely used name. Carbonate is CO3^2 - and carboxylate refers to organic R - COO - groups.
What is the formula for the ammonium ion?
NH3
NH4^+
NH4^-
N2H4^2+
The ammonium ion is NH4+, formed by protonation of ammonia (NH3). N2H4^2+ and NH4 - are not standard ions, and NH3 is neutral.
What is the name of the ion with the formula SO3^2-?
Sulfonate
Sulfoxide
Sulfate
Sulfite
SO3^2 - is the sulfite ion, carrying a - 2 charge with three oxygens. Sulfate is SO4^2 - , sulfoxide is an organic functional group R2S=O, and sulfonate is R - SO3 - .
What is the charge on the phosphate ion, PO4?
- 2
- 3
+3
- 1
Phosphate is PO4^3 - , carrying a - 3 charge. The other charges correspond to other ions or are incorrect for phosphate.
Which ion is represented by the formula ClO4-?
Chlorate
Chlorite
Perchlorate
Hypochlorite
ClO4 - is the perchlorate ion, with four oxygens around chlorine in its highest oxidation state. Chlorate (ClO3 - ), chlorite (ClO2 - ), and hypochlorite (ClO - ) have fewer oxygens.
Which formula corresponds to the dichromate ion?
CrO3
Cr2O3
Cr2O7^2-
CrO4^2-
Dichromate is Cr2O7^2 - , comprised of two chromium atoms and seven oxygens. Chromate is CrO4^2 - , CrO3 is chromium(VI) oxide, and Cr2O3 is chromium(III) oxide.
What is the name of the ion MnO4-?
Peroxide
Manganate
Magnate
Permanganate
MnO4 - is called permanganate, a powerful oxidizer. Manganate is MnO4^2 - , magnate is not standard, and peroxide is O2^2 - .
Which ion has the formula NO2-?
Nitrite
Nitrate
Dinitrogen oxide
Nitric oxide
NO2 - is the nitrite ion, with two oxygens and a - 1 charge. Nitrate is NO3 - , nitric oxide is NO (neutral), and dinitrogen oxide is N2O.
What is the formula for the acetate ion?
C2H3O3-
CH3COO-
C2H3O2^2-
C2HO2-
Acetate is CH3COO - , the conjugate base of acetic acid. C2H3O2^2 - and C2H3O3 - have incorrect charges or compositions, and C2HO2 - is not valid.
What is the charge on the thiosulfate ion, S2O3?
0
- 1
- 3
- 2
Thiosulfate (S2O3^2 - ) carries a - 2 charge, replacing one oxygen of sulfate with a sulfur atom. The other charges do not correspond to thiosulfate.
Which ion is represented by ClO2-?
Perchlorate
Hypochlorite
Chlorite
Chlorate
ClO2 - is chlorite, with chlorine in the +3 oxidation state. Chlorate is ClO3 - , hypochlorite is ClO - , and perchlorate is ClO4 - .
What is the formula for the hydrogen sulfate (bisulfate) ion?
SO4^2-
HSO3-
H2SO4
HSO4-
Hydrogen sulfate or bisulfate is HSO4 - , the conjugate base of sulfuric acid. H2SO4 is the acid, SO4^2 - is sulfate, and HSO3 - is hydrogen sulfite.
Which ion has one fewer oxygen atom than the sulfate ion?
Sulfonate
Thiosulfate
Sulfate
Sulfite
Sulfite (SO3^2 - ) has three oxygens, while sulfate (SO4^2 - ) has four. Thiosulfate replaces one oxygen with sulfur, and sulfonate refers to organic R - SO3 - groups.
Which polyatomic ion carries a - 2 charge and consists of one carbon and three oxygen atoms?
Bicarbonate
Carbonate
Acetate
Phosphate
Carbonate is CO3^2 - , containing one carbon and three oxygens with a - 2 charge. Bicarbonate has an extra hydrogen, acetate has two carbons, and phosphate has phosphorus.
Which polyatomic ion is commonly used as a strong oxidizing agent in acidic solution?
Dichromate
Peroxide
Sulfate
Permanganate
Permanganate (MnO4 - ) in acidic solution is a very strong oxidizer, often stronger than dichromate. Peroxide is less potent and sulfate is not an oxidizing agent.
What is the formula of the hydrogen phosphate ion?
HPO4^2-
PO4^3-
H2PO4-
HPO3^2-
Hydrogen phosphate is HPO4^2 - , the conjugate base of dihydrogen phosphate. H2PO4 - is dihydrogen phosphate, PO4^3 - is phosphate, and HPO3^2 - is not standard.
Which of the following ions is the conjugate base of sulfurous acid (H2SO3)?
SO4^2-
SO3^2-
HSO4-
HSO3-
Sulfurous acid (H2SO3) loses one proton to form HSO3 - (hydrogen sulfite) and a second to form SO3^2 - . HSO4 - and SO4^2 - derive from sulfuric acid.
Identify the polyatomic ion that has a trigonal planar molecular geometry.
Sulfate
Phosphate
Ammonium
Carbonate
Carbonate (CO3^2 - ) has three bonding regions and no lone pairs on carbon, giving trigonal planar geometry. Phosphate is tetrahedral, sulfate is tetrahedral, and ammonium is tetrahedral.
The thiosulfate ion (S2O3^2-) is often called 'hypo' in photographic processing. What is its common chemical name?
Thiosulfate
Developer
Soda ash
Bleach
The term 'hypo' in photography refers to sodium thiosulfate, a fixer agent. Soda ash is sodium carbonate, bleach commonly is sodium hypochlorite, and developer contains reducing agents.
Which ion indicates that chlorine is in its highest oxidation state?
Chlorite
Chlorate
Perchlorate
Hypochlorite
Perchlorate (ClO4 - ) has chlorine in the +7 oxidation state, the highest for chlorine. Chlorate is +5, chlorite is +3, and hypochlorite is +1.
What is the average oxidation state of sulfur in the thiosulfate ion (S2O3^2-)?
+3
+2
+4
+5
In S2O3^2 - , the total oxidation of three oxygens is - 6; the overall charge is - 2, so the sum of both sulfur atoms must be +4, giving an average of +2 each. Thus the average oxidation state is +2.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Polyatomic Ions -

    After completing this polyatomic compounds quiz, you will be able to identify the names and formulas of common polyatomic ions with confidence.

  2. Understand Nomenclature Rules -

    Learn the systematic naming conventions for polyatomic ions, including the use of -ate, -ite, and charge notations in chemical formulas quiz scenarios.

  3. Match Names to Formulas -

    Apply your knowledge to accurately match polyatomic ion names to their correct chemical formulas during the polyatomic ions quiz.

  4. Differentiate Similar Ions -

    Analyze and distinguish between ions with similar compositions, such as sulfate vs. sulfite, through targeted polyatomic ion names quiz questions.

  5. Memorize Ion Charges -

    Reinforce your memory of each ion's charge and composition, ensuring quick recall when faced with the common polyatomic ions list or a chemical formulas quiz.

  6. Boost Chemistry Confidence -

    Cement your understanding of polyatomic ions by testing and improving your skills, leading to greater confidence in chemistry coursework and exams.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master -ate and -ite Suffix Rules -

    Most polyatomic ions follow a pattern: ions ending in -ate have one more oxygen than their -ite counterparts (e.g., sulfate SO42− vs. sulfite SO32−). Memorizing this pattern is crucial for tackling questions in a polyatomic compounds quiz and ensures you distinguish oxygen counts at a glance.

  2. Recognizing Common Charges -

    Many polyatomic ions have characteristic charges you can memorize: phosphate (PO43−), carbonate (CO32−), and ammonium (NH4+). Referencing a common polyatomic ions list from respected university resources ensures you cover every key ion before tackling the polyatomic ions quiz.

  3. Use Mnemonic Phrases -

    Mnemonic tricks like "Nick the Camel ate a Clam for Supper in Phoenix" help recall NO3−, CO32−, ClO−, SO42−, and PO43− in order of decreasing oxygens. Embedding these fun memory aids boosts long-term retention when facing a polyatomic ion names quiz.

  4. Oxyacid Naming Conventions -

    When a polyatomic ion forms an oxyacid, change -ate to -ic acid (HNO3 is nitric acid from nitrate) and -ite to -ous acid (H2SO3 is sulfurous acid from sulfite). Mastering this rule ensures accuracy when the chemical formulas quiz shifts to acid nomenclature.

  5. Formula Writing & Balancing Practice -

    Regularly write and balance compounds like Ca(OH)2 (calcium hydroxide) or Fe2(SO4)3 (iron(III) sulfate) to solidify charge neutrality and formula structure. Timed practice sessions simulate quiz conditions and boost speed and confidence for your polyatomic compounds quiz.

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