What is the charge of the hydroxide ion?

The charge of the hydroxide ion is represented as OH(-). This indicates that the hydroxide ion consists of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom, with a total net charge of negative one. The negative charge arises because the hydroxide ion has gained an extra electron, resulting in a charge of -1.

In the context of chemical behavior, the hydroxide ion is commonly encountered in acid-base chemistry, where it acts as a base by accepting protons (H+ ions). This understanding is crucial as it helps in predicting the behavior of hydroxide in chemical reactions, such as neutralization reactions with acids.

The other charge representations do not accurately reflect the correct charge of the hydroxide ion. For instance, a hydrogen atom represented with a negative charge (H(-)) does not correspond to the structure of hydroxide, and the representation OH(2-) would imply a hydroxide ion with a charge of -2, which is not possible for this ion. Similarly, O(-) would indicate a negatively charged oxygen atom but does not incorporate the hydrogen atom that forms hydroxide. Therefore, the correct representation is OH(-), confirming that it is precisely the hydroxide ion.