What is the chemical formula for nitrite?

The chemical formula for nitrite is represented as NO2(-). In this formula, nitrogen (N) is bonded to two oxygen (O) atoms. The negative sign indicates that the nitrite ion carries a negative charge, which is typical for many polyatomic ions.

Nitrite is commonly found in various chemical reactions, particularly in biological systems and environmental chemistry. The presence of two oxygen atoms reflects its status as a derived form of nitric oxide (NO) where one oxygen has been added, and it has one fewer oxygen atom than nitrate, which has the formula NO3(-).

This understanding of nitrogen and oxygen bonding, as well as charge representation, helps clarify why NO2(-) accurately describes the nitrite ion, distinguishing it from other ions that may involve different combinations or numbers of nitrogen and oxygen atoms.