Here's a breakdown:
* Oxyanion: A negatively charged ion (anion) containing oxygen.
* Nonmetal atom: An atom from the right side of the periodic table, typically lacking metallic properties.
Examples of oxyanions include:
* Sulfate (SO₄²⁻): Oxygen bonded to sulfur.
* Nitrate (NO₃⁻): Oxygen bonded to nitrogen.
* Phosphate (PO₄³⁻): Oxygen bonded to phosphorus.
The oxygen atoms in oxyanions form bonds with the nonmetal atom, resulting in a polyatomic ion with a negative charge.
