Final answer:
The polyatomic ion SO3 2- is named sulfite, which consists of sulfur bonded to three oxygen atoms with a net charge of -2. The suffix 'ite' indicates one fewer oxygen atom than an ion with the 'ate' suffix, such as sulfate (SO4 2-).
Step-by-step explanation:
The polyatomic ion represented by the formula SO3 2- is named sulfite. The ion consists of sulfur bonded to three oxygen atoms, and it carries a net charge of -2. When naming polyatomic ions that contain oxygen, the suffixes –ate” and –ite” help indicate the relative number of oxygen atoms in the ion, with –ite” indicating one fewer oxygen atom than the –ate” ion. Therefore, SO3 2- as a polyatomic ion with one less oxygen compared to the sulfate ion (SO4 2-) is named sulfite. This systematic method of naming is applied broadly across various polyatomic ions containing oxygen and other non-metal elements.