Nitrate, NO3, is a polyatomic anion that acts as a ligand. In complexes or reactions that contain a nitrate ion, NO3 uses its charge to bond with other atoms or molecules.
In ionic representation, nitrate ion is written as NO3-. When ions are written without a specific number behind the sign, it implies that the charge is a -1 or +1, depending on the sign. Similarly, the charge of NO3– is -1.
When NO3 gets into a reaction with other molecules, it tends to have a different charge. This is what we’re considering in this article. Read on to learn more.
What is the charge of NO3?
The charge of NO3 is -1. This charge results from the sum of the charge of the nitrogen atom, the two oxygen atoms with single bonds, and the oxygen atom with two bonds.
What is the overall charge of (NO3)2?
The charge of (NO3)2 is -2. This compound contains two NO3 ions and each has a -1 charge.
What is the charge of (NO3)3?
The overall charge of (NO3)3 is -3. As mentioned earlier, one NO3 ion has a -1 charge. Since there are three NO3 ions, the overall charge will be -3.
What is the charge of NO3 in Pb(NO3)2?
The charge of the NO3 ions in Pb(NO3)2, lead (II) nitrate is -1. But since there are two NO3 ions, it is an overall -2 charge.
What is the charge of NO3 in Fe(NO3)2?
The charge of NO3 in Fe(NO3)2, iron (II) nitrate is -1. But, two NO3 ions will give an overall charge of -2.
What is the charge of NO3 in Fe(NO3)3?
The overall charge of the three NO3 ions in Fe(NO3)3, iron (III) nitrate is -3.
What is the charge of NO3 in Cu(NO3)2?
As implied earlier, the charge of NO3 in Cu(NO3)2, copper (II) nitrate is also -1. The copper ion requires two NO3 ions to neutralize its +2 charge. Therefore, the overall charge of nitrate is -2.
What is the charge of NO3 in Ca(NO3)2?
The overall charge of NO3 in Ca(NO3)2 is -2. This is a product of the two nitrate ions required to quench the +2 charge of calcium.
What is the charge of NO3 in Cr(NO3)3?
The charge of one nitrate ion in Cr(NO3)3 is -1. The overall charge of the three nitrate ions is -3.
FAQs
What is the formal charge of the two oxygen atoms in nitrate?
The formal charge of the two oxygen atoms with single bonds is -1.
Can nitrate have a positive charge?
No, it cannot. Nitrate is an anion, a negatively charged radical. It is not one of those radicals that tend to have more than one charge.
What is the valency of NO3?
The valency of NO3 is -1. This ion is made of one nitrogen and three oxygen atoms. The overall charge of the oxygen atoms is -6 while the charge of the nitrogen atom is +5. Calculating the sum, NO3 will have a -1 valency.
Conclusion
The charge of nitrate is -1. This is the same as its valency. But when in combination with other molecules, nitrate may have a different charge (figure) but it’s always the same negative sign.
This negative sign is essential to the bond formation and ligand property of NO3.
Learn further with this article on the charge of the ions that make up CaCO3.
Thanks for reading.