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The nitrates are characterized by their triangular (NO3)– groups that resemble the (CO3)2– groups of the carbonates, making the two mineral classes similar in structure. The nitrogen cation (N5+) carries a high charge and is strongly polarizing like the carbon cation (C4+) of the CO3 group. A tightly knit triangular complex is created by the three nitrogen-oxygen bonds of the NO3 group; these bonds are stronger than all others in the crystal. Because the nitrogen-oxygen bond has greater strength than the corresponding carbon-oxygen bond in carbonates, nitrates decompose less readily in the presence of acids. Nitrate structures analogous to those ...(100 of 14209 words)