Question

How can I find the valence electrons in polyatomic ions?

Answer 1

The molecule which contains more than three atoms are called polyatomic molecules. If the polyatomic molecule either contains positive or negative charge on it then it is called polyatomic ions.

Complete step-by-step answer: - In the question it is asked how we can find the number of valence electrons in the polyatomic ions.
- First we should calculate the number of valence electrons in each and every atom in a polyatomic ion separately and combine them to get the valence electrons in a polyatomic ion.
- For example the number of valence electrons present in the hydroxide ion is as follows.
- The molecular or chemical formula of hydroxide ion is $O{{H}^{-}}$ .
- The number of valence electrons in oxygen are 6.
- The number of valence electrons in hydrogen is 1.
- The charge on the hydroxide ion is ‘-1’ means we have to add one more valence electron to the above mentioned valence electrons to get the total number of valence electrons in the hydroxide ion.
- Therefore the total number of valence electrons in the hydroxide ion are = 1 + 6 + 1 = 8.
- So, the number of valence electrons in hydroxide ions is 8.

Note: We have to consider the individual valence electrons in the molecule and we have to combine them. We are not supposed to consider the valence electrons of only one atom, we have to consider all the valence electrons from all the atoms in the polyatomic molecule.