Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A polyatomic ion is a charged particle which has two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.
Related terms
Monatomic Ion: This is an ion formed from only one atom. It's like the solo athlete in our sports analogy.
Covalent Bond: This is the type of bond that holds the atoms within a polyatomic ion together. It's like the teamwork and strategies that hold a sports team together.
This refers to the distribution of electrons among energy levels in an atom, which influences how it forms ions and bonds with other atoms. It's like the positions and roles each player takes on in our sports team.