What is the formula for the chlorate ion?

The formula for the chlorate ion is ClO3(-). This signifies that the ion consists of one chlorine atom bonded to three oxygen atoms, and it has a net charge of -1. Chlorate is one of several oxyanions of chlorine, which vary in the number of oxygen atoms attached to the chlorine atom.

Understanding the structure of chlorate helps clarify why it has this particular formula. In the chlorate ion, the chlorine atom exhibits its typical oxidation state of +5. The three oxygen atoms are bonded through covalent bonds, and together, they create a polyatomic ion. The presence of a negative charge indicates that the ion has an extra electron, which is characteristic of many polyatomic ions.

The other choices represent different chlorinated oxyanions, but they do not match the characteristics defined for chlorate. ClO2(-) is the formula for the chlorite ion, which contains one less oxygen atom and a similar charge. ClO4(-) corresponds to the perchlorate ion, which contains one additional oxygen atom compared to chlorate. Lastly, ClO(-) is the formula for the hypochlorite ion, which has two fewer oxygen atoms than chlorate.