Question

Name the polyatomic cation that combines with chlorine and forms a
sublime solid.

Answer 1

Ammonia combined with chlorine forms the sublime solid ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl), a compound resulting from the reaction of the polyatomic cation ammonium (NH₄⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻).

Step-by-step explanation:

The polyatomic cation that combines with chlorine to form a sublime solid is ammonia, forming the compound ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl). When this cation (NH₄⁺) comes into contact with chloride ions (Cl⁻), they form a solid compound that can sublime, meaning it can change from a solid to a gas without passing through a liquid phase. It's worth noting that unlike most polyatomic ions, such as those that end in -ate or -ite, the ammonium ion is a positively charged polyatomic ion. Cross-referencing Table 5.4.2, ammonium chloride is a combination of the polyatomic ammonium ion and the monatomic chloride ion.