Mammoth Memory

Molecules ending in -ite and -ate

Molecules ending with -ite contain fewer oxygen atoms than those ending with -ate. E.g. sodium nitrite NaNO2 has fewer oxygen atoms than sodium nitrate NaNO3.

ITE has fewer oxygen than ATE image

The opera singer complained that her tight (-ite) corset prevented her from getting enough oxygen.

When she removed it, her lungs could inflate (-ate) and she could breathe in more oxygen

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