You may or may not have been asked to memorize these, but there are no worries! Polyatomic ions become easier over time. You might be asking, “what are these random letters I have to memorize?”

Polyatomic ions are ions that contain more than one (poly) atom (atomic). Many times in chemistry you will encounter these ions in your chemical journey.  The following infographic gives a guide to some common polyatomic ion (their geometry, charge, and formula).

Tips:

• learn whether these act as cations or anions, so when you make molecules out of these you know whether they want to donate or receive electrons.
• Make flashcards/Quizlet/other online flashcards to keep with you wherever you go.
  • Use time between classes to review

Memorizing these will take time, but keep practicing them and they will become second nature!