Question

Use the table to determine the charge of phosphate in K3PO4.

Answer 1

Answer:

                    Charge on Phosphate is -3 (PO₄³⁻)

Explanation:

                     Ions or polyatomic ions are formed when an atom or molecule loses or gains electron(s) respectively.

Example:

              Formation of ions.

                           Na  →  Na⁺  +  e⁻ (Na loses one electron)

                           Cl₂  +  2 e⁻  →  2 Cl⁻ (Cl gains electron)

In polyatomic ions a charge is present on a molecule which has either two or more atoms.

Example:

               CO₃²⁻ , SO₄⁻ , NH₄⁺ e.t.c.

In statement the  K₃PO₄ polyatomic ionic compound. It is made up of three K⁺ ions and one Phosphate ion (PO₄ˣ⁻) ion.

As we know K belongs to group 1 metals so it has one valence electron and thus, forms a cation of +1 charge. So, for a neutral polyatomic ionic compound the overall charge on K₃PO₄ should be zero. Hence,

                                         K (3) + PO₄ (X)  =  0

Or,

                                         +3 + X = 0

Or,

                                         X  =  0 - 3

                                         X  =  -3

Therefore, the charge on phosphate is -3.