Question

Analyse the symmetry elements possessed by carbonate and hydronium ions. List the symmetry elements that both ions have in common. 

Answer 1

The symmetry elements possessed by carbonate ions (CO₃^2-) are Symmetry elements: E, C₃, C₂, σ_h, σ_v, S₃.

The symmetry elements possessed by hydronium ions (H₃O) are C₃ and σ_v.

$\therefore$ The symmetry elements that both ions have in common are C₃ and σ_v.