SDSU Chemistry Placement Test 2025 – Complete Practice for Exam Preparation

The formula for nitrate is represented as NO3-. This indicates that it is a polyatomic ion consisting of one nitrogen atom (N) and three oxygen atoms (O), carrying a negative one charge. The significance of this formula lies in its structure, where nitrogen is centrally bonded to three oxygen atoms in a trigonal planar arrangement. The negative charge represents that the ion has one more electron than protons, which contributes to its stability and reactivity in chemical processes.

In terms of context, nitrate plays an important role in various applications, such as being a component of fertilizers, which emphasizes its importance in agriculture and environmental studies. Understanding the structure and charge of nitrate is fundamental in studies related to chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides, acid-base chemistry, and environmental science.

Other options provided relate to different nitrogen-oxygen compounds or configurations that do not correctly represent the nitrate ion:

- NO2- corresponds to the nitrite ion, which contains only two oxygen atoms and a similar charge.

- N2O3 is a neutral compound known as dinitrogen trioxide, not an ion.

- N3O does not represent a commonly recognized or stable ion related to nitrogen or its conventional oxidation states.

This highlights the importance of recognizing the distinct characteristics of