Which formula represents the carbonate ion?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Study for the IMAT Chemistry Exam. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions; hints and explanations included for each question. Prepare effectively for your exam.

Multiple Choice

Which formula represents the carbonate ion?

Explanation:
The main idea is that an ion’s formula must reflect its overall charge. The carbonate ion is a species with three oxygens bonded to a central carbon and carries a total charge of 2−. That means the correct representation must include a 2− charge, giving CO3^2−. The three oxygens contribute a lot of negative charge, and the extra electrons are delocalized over the oxygens, producing resonance and equal bond character among the C–O bonds. A form with a smaller or neutral charge would not describe carbonate, and a neutral CO2 is not an ion. So the carbonate ion is CO3^2−.

The main idea is that an ion’s formula must reflect its overall charge. The carbonate ion is a species with three oxygens bonded to a central carbon and carries a total charge of 2−. That means the correct representation must include a 2− charge, giving CO3^2−. The three oxygens contribute a lot of negative charge, and the extra electrons are delocalized over the oxygens, producing resonance and equal bond character among the C–O bonds. A form with a smaller or neutral charge would not describe carbonate, and a neutral CO2 is not an ion. So the carbonate ion is CO3^2−.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy