Question

Formula of bicarbonate is ${\text{HCO}}_{\text{3}}^ -$.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

${\text{HCO}}_{\text{3}}^ -$ contains hydrogen, carbon and oxygen atoms. ${\text{HCO}}_{\text{3}}^ -$ is composed of more than one atoms and thus, ${\text{HCO}}_{\text{3}}^ -$ is polyatomic. Also, ${\text{HCO}}_{\text{3}}^ -$ has one negative charge and thus, it is a polyatomic anion. Write the name of ${\text{HCO}}_{\text{3}}^ -$ using the rules for naming polyatomic ions.

Complete step by step answer: ${\text{HCO}}_{\text{3}}^ -$ contains a hydrogen atom and a ${\text{CO}}_{\text{3}}^ -$ ion.
The ${\text{CO}}_{\text{3}}^ -$ ion is the carbonate ion.
Thus, the name of ${\text{HCO}}_{\text{3}}^ -$ is hydrogen carbonate.
Prefix “bi-“ is used instead of hydrogen. Thus, hydrogen carbonate is also known as bicarbonate.
Thus, the statement “formula of bicarbonate is ${\text{HCO}}_{\text{3}}^ -$” is true.
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Additional Information: Bicarbonate ion contains three atoms ${\text{H,}}\,{\text{C,}}\,{\text{O}}$ and thus, it is known as a polyatomic ion. The conjugate acid of bicarbonate ion is carbonic acid $\left( {{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}} \right)$.
Bicarbonate in the form of its sodium salt i.s. sodium bicarbonate $\left( {{\text{NaHC}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}} \right)$ is commonly known as baking soda. It is used as an antacid. It relieves heartburn, upset stomach and indigestion of acid.
Sodium bicarbonate is a rich source of carbon dioxide and thus, it is the main ingredient of baking powders, effervescent beverages and fire extinguishers.

Note:
Polyatomic ions comprise two or more atoms. One or more oxygen atoms are joined to the main atom with a charge. Ions with a positive charge are cations while the ions with a negative charge are anions.
Rules for naming polyatomic ions are as follows:
-Write the name of the first atom.
-Determine the number of anions that can be formed by adding oxygen atoms to the main atom.
-If the number of oxygen atoms is higher for an element then add suffix “-ate” and if the number of oxygen atoms is lower then add suffix “-ite”.
-If the anion contains a hydrogen atom then add the prefix “bi-“ or add “hydrogen” before the name.