What is the chemical formula for the Ammonium ion?

The ammonium ion is represented by the chemical formula NH4+. This indicates that the ion is composed of one nitrogen atom and four hydrogen atoms. The positive charge on the ammonium ion arises because it has one more proton than electrons, making it a cation.

In contrast, NH3, known as ammonia, is a neutral molecule and does not carry a charge. The formula NH2+ suggests a different species that would not be stable under normal conditions, and N2H4 (hydrazine) is a completely different compound, containing two nitrogen atoms and four hydrogen atoms without the characteristic charge of the ammonium ion. Consequently, NH4+ successfully represents the cationic form of ammonia, which is essential for understanding its behavior in various chemical reactions and biological processes.