Nitrate

Nitrate (NO₃^1-) is a polyatomic ion. It is made up of one nitrogen and three oxygen atoms. It is part of many important molecules. Potassium nitrate is a common type of nitrate. It is often used in fertilizers because plants and crops need both potassium and nitrates to live and grow. Sodium nitrate is also used in preserving foods.^[1]

Nitrate

Names
Systematic IUPAC name Nitrate
Identifiers
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID5024217
Properties
Chemical formula	NO− 3
Molar mass	62.0049 g mol-1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Some nitrates are explosive. People make large amounts of nitrates from ammonia. Nitrates are similar to nitrites. Many metal nitrates with thermal decomposition makes oxygen and metal nitrate.

Nitric acid has the formula HNO₃ and has no overall charge, because the hydrogen ion is positive.

Nitrate has a group valency of 1.