November 01, 2024, 08:34:55 AM
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting


Topic: Difference between a polyatomic ion and regular chemical compound  (Read 4871 times)

0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline KurzickMushroom

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 25
  • Mole Snacks: +1/-1
Hi guys. I'm was doing redox reactions and got confused between a polyatomic ion and a regular chemical compound. I was dealing with a SO2 on the products side. I thought it was hyposulphite and would following the charge of 2-. My teacher told me that this was sulphur dioxide instead. How can I distinguish between them? From what she told me, if I see what looks to be a polyatomic ion standing alone, is it just a regular compound?

ex: KPO4 is Potassium phosphate.

If I get PO4 + ? + ?----> ?

Would this PO4 that is standing alone be considered Phosphorus Tetroxide?

Offline Astrokel

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 989
  • Mole Snacks: +65/-10
  • Gender: Male
Re: Difference between a polyatomic ion and regular chemical compound
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2009, 07:15:32 PM »
There is no KPO4 because phosphate is PO43-. I don't get your last sentence.
No matters what results are waiting for us, it's nothing but the DESTINY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Offline KurzickMushroom

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 25
  • Mole Snacks: +1/-1
Re: Difference between a polyatomic ion and regular chemical compound
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2009, 08:11:44 PM »
TY Astrokel, I got understand this now, sry for the confusion.

Sponsored Links