= Polyatomic ion
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A <polyatomic ion> consists of a bound group of two or more <chemical atoms> with nonzero total <electric charge>. <Hydronium>, $\mathrm{H_3O^+}$, contains three <hydrogen> and one <oxygen> <chemical atom>; its net <electric charge> is $+e$, where $e$ is the <elementary charge>. This is a discrete charged group, while an <ionic crystal> can contain an extended arrangement of <ions>.<Chemistry 2e by Paul Flowers and others/2.6 Ionic and Molecular Compounds>[polyatomic ions, introductory paragraph and Table 2.5, hydronium]{ref}
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