Question

a polyatomic ion is named thiosulfate. what is the formula of this ion?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall thiosulfate structure

Thiosulfate is related to sulfate (\(SO_4^{2-}\)). The "thio-" prefix means replacing an O with S. So sulfate (\(SO_4^{2-}\)) becomes thiosulfate by replacing one O with S, giving \(S_2O_3^{2-}\).

Step2: Confirm charge

The charge remains \(2-\) as in sulfate, since the substitution of O (oxidation state -2) with S (oxidation state -2 in this context) doesn't change the overall charge. So the formula is \(S_2O_3^{2-}\).

Answer:

\(S_2O_3^{2-}\)