1. Determine the Charges
* Gallium (Ga): Gallium typically forms a +3 charge (Ga³⁺)
* Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻): Bicarbonate has a -1 charge.
2. Balancing the Charges
To form a neutral compound, the positive and negative charges must balance. Since gallium has a +3 charge, you'll need three bicarbonate ions (each with a -1 charge) to balance it out.
3. The Formula
The resulting compound would be Ga(HCO₃)₃.
Therefore, three bicarbonate polyatomic ions would bond to a gallium ion.
