Question

multiple - choice question
what do you do to your polyatomic ions when balancing charges?
put parenthesis around it
leave them alone

Explanation:

When balancing charges in chemical formulas involving polyatomic ions, if you need to multiply the polyatomic ion, you put parentheses around it to indicate the number of the entire poly - atomic group. For example, in calcium nitrate ($Ca(NO_3)_2$), the nitrate ($NO_3^-$) polyatomic ion is in parentheses because there are two of them to balance the +2 charge of calcium.

Answer:

put parenthesis around it