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Atoms can aggregate together and form polyatomic ions. Some people describe a polyatomic ion as a molecule with a charge on it. If it helps you to think in this way go ahead, but be aware there ARE differences between a polyatomic ion and a molecule. A polyatomic ion resembles a molecules in the following ways: Both contain more than one atom Both contain only covalent bonds A polyatomic ion IS NOT a molecule because they differ in the following ways: A polyatomic ion is always PART of a compound, while a molecule IS a compound. A polyatomic ion has a charge, while a molecule does not A polyatomic ion always exists with other ions which balance out its charge, whereas a molecule exists independently.

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