What is the charge on the carbonate ion?

• A. -2
• B. -1
• C. 0
• D. +2

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the carbonate ion is a polyatomic ion with the chemical formula \(\mathrm{CO_3^{x-}}\), where \(x\) represents the charge we need to determine.
2. Understand that the carbonate ion consists of one carbon atom and three oxygen atoms bonded together, and the overall charge is the sum of the charges on these atoms.
3. Know that oxygen typically has an oxidation state of -2, and carbon usually has an oxidation state of +4 in carbonate.
4. Calculate the total charge by summing the oxidation states: \(+4\) (from carbon) plus \$3 \times (-2)\( (from oxygen) which equals \)+4 - 6 = -2$.
5. Conclude that the charge on the carbonate ion is \(-2\), meaning the ion carries two extra electrons overall.