How is ammonium represented in chemical notation?

Ammonium is represented in chemical notation as NH4+. This notation indicates that the ammonium ion is derived from ammonia (NH3) by the addition of a proton (H+), resulting in a positively charged ion.

In this formula, nitrogen (N) is bonded to four hydrogen atoms (H), and the presence of the plus sign (+) signifies that the ion carries a positive charge. This positive charge arises because, when ammonia gains a proton, it has one more hydrogen atom than it has available electrons, leading to an overall positive charge.

Understanding ammonium's structure is essential in many chemical applications, particularly in the context of acid-base chemistry and biological systems, where ammonium ions play crucial roles. The NH4+ ion is a common constituent in many fertilizers and is significant in various biochemical processes.