Nitrate is an example of which class of soil ion?

Prepare for the Rangeland Soil Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Ensure success in your test!

Multiple Choice

Nitrate is an example of which class of soil ion?

Explanation:
Nitrate is negatively charged, NO3−, which makes it an anion. In soils, negatively charged ions are not strongly bound to the soil particles (which are also negatively charged), so they tend to stay in solution and move with water, making them prone to leaching. In contrast, positively charged ions (cations) like calcium or potassium are attracted to and held by negatively charged soil surfaces via cation exchange. Nitrate isn’t a gas and isn’t a metal, so those options don’t fit.

Nitrate is negatively charged, NO3−, which makes it an anion. In soils, negatively charged ions are not strongly bound to the soil particles (which are also negatively charged), so they tend to stay in solution and move with water, making them prone to leaching. In contrast, positively charged ions (cations) like calcium or potassium are attracted to and held by negatively charged soil surfaces via cation exchange. Nitrate isn’t a gas and isn’t a metal, so those options don’t fit.

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