If a polyatomic ion is made of halogen and oxygen atoms, what form would one take if it had the fewest atoms?

is it ...

A) This form would get a per - prefix and an - ate suffix.

B) This form would get only an - ate suffix.

C) This form would get a hypo - prefix and an - ite suffix.

D) This form would get only an - ite suffix.

C) This form would get a hypo - prefix and an - ite suffix.

Explanation:

Some examples of polyatomic ions made of halogen and oxygen are bromate, BrO₃⁻, chlorate, ClO₃⁻, and chlorite, ClO₂⁻.

The number of halogen atoms will always be 1. The number of oxygen ions will change depending on the oxidation state of the halogen.

The halogens are F, Cl, Br, and I. But only Cl, Br, and I have four positive different oxidation states which can use to form polyatomic ions with oxygen: 1, 3, 5, 7. Fluor only has one positive oxidation state: 1

These are the possible polyatomic ions of Cl, Br, and I with oxygen:

Halogen oxidation state ion name

Cl 1 ClO⁻ hypochlorite

Cl 3 ClO₂⁻ chlorite

Cl 5 ClO₃⁻ chlorate

Cl 7 ClO₄⁻ perchlorate

Br 1 BrO⁻ hypobromite

Br 3 BrO₂⁻ bromite

Br 5 BrO₃⁻ bromate

Br 7 BrO₄⁻ perbromate

I 1 ClO⁻ hypoiodite

I 3 ClO₂⁻ iodite

I 5 ClO₃⁻ iodate

I 7 ClO₄⁻ periodate

The rules for naming polyatomic ions when the halogen has four different oxidation states are:

When the halogen has the lowest number, use the preffix hypo and the suffix ite, with the element's root.

When the halogen has the second lowest number, use the suffix ite, with the element's root.

When the halogen has the third lowest number, use the suffix ate, with the element's root.

When the halogen has the highest number, use the prefix per with the suffix ate. with the element's root.

Hence, if a polyatomic ion is made of halogen and oxygen atoms, the form with the fewest atoms would get a hypo - prefix and an - ite suffix, which is the option C.