In dedication to Mark Demko

Nick the Camel was heading to Phoenix in Arizona. Nick was very hungry for some clam.

A snake came up to him asked him about polyatomic ions. Nick was chemistry teacher but recently retired.

So the two went on a journey to Phoenix, but the snake didn't know why. So the snake didn't bother to ask Nick.

Nick and the snake finally made it to the restaurant. Snake wanted to eat shrimp and Nick specifically chose the clam meal.

The snake finally had the courage to ask Nick, "why clam," and Nick told the snake, " well you want to know about polyatomic ions, this is how you'll figure it out."

Nick tells the snake all about the formula and why he went to Phoenix to get clam supper.

Nick told snake the formula is, "Nick the Camel ate clam supper in Phoenix."

Nick= NO3-1

Camel= CO3-2

Clam= ClO3-1

Supper= ClO3-1

Phoenix= PO4-3

Snake of course didn't know how that helps him to get the oxygen and the charge.