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 WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY  POLYATOMIC ?

The term 'polyatomic' means of or relating to a molecule or an ion made up of two or more than two atoms. So a polyatomic atom is an atom which is made up of two or more atoms. For example H2, O2, NH3, PCl5 are all polyatomic molecules. Similarly, polyatomic ion is an ion which is made up of two or more atoms. For example NH4+, CO32- etc. 

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Polyatomic ions are also known as the molecular ions . They are charged species. Poly means many which implies that it is a combination of two or more than two atoms which are covalently bonded to give a polyatomic ion which can be a positively charged species or can be a negatively charged species. They are also considered as the conjugate acid or conjugate base of the neutral species.

For example:-

NH4 +, H3O+, SO4 2-, CH3COO-, CO3 2-, PO4 3- etc.

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