What do the endings -ite and -ate indicate about a polyatomic ion?

Question

What do the endings -ite and -ate indicate about a polyatomic ion?

Answer 1

The atom bound to the oxygen atoms in the ion is in a lower oxidation state in the -ite state than the -ate state. The confusion is avoided by (I think) the elegant naming of the polyatomic ion using roman numerals.

E.G.

SO3 2- sulfite SO4 2- sulfate Sulfur is +4 and + 6 respectively but

SO3 2- sulfate IV SO4 2- sulfate VI is better and clearer, mind you, you have to know roman numerals and the rules for working out oxidation states, once you got it sorted you can work out any ion from first principles.

Answer 2

It determines if the molecule is a nitrate or a nitrite at the terminal end.

Answer 3

ite means a smaller charge and ate means a larger charge