What is the Difference Between Polyvalent Element and Polyatomic Ion?

The main difference between a polyvalent element and a polyatomic ion lies in their valency and atomic composition.

A polyvalent element is an element that has more than one valency, meaning it can form chemical bonds with more than one other atom. For example, nitrogen can have a valency of 3 in the nitrate ion (NO3-) and a valency of 5 in the nitrate-ammonium ion (NH4NO3-).

A polyatomic ion is an ion that contains more than one atom. These ions are formed when two or more atoms are covalently bonded to each other and carry a net charge due to the gain or loss of electrons. Examples of polyatomic ions include the carbonate ion (CO3^2-) and the ammonium ion (NH4^+).

In summary:

• Polyvalent elements have more than one valency, meaning they can form chemical bonds with multiple other atoms.
• Polyatomic ions are composed of two or more covalently bonded atoms that act as a single ion and carry a net charge.

Comparative Table: Polyvalent Element vs Polyatomic Ion

The main difference between a polyvalent element and a polyatomic ion lies in their valency and structure. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences:

Polyvalent elements can form ions with different charges, such as copper, which can remove either one electron or two electrons when forming a chemical bond. On the other hand, polyatomic ions are composed of multiple atoms bonded together, and they carry a net charge due to gaining or losing electrons.