Question

How many grams of phosphorus are in a sample of Ca3(PO4)2 that contains 50.0 g of calcium? Answer: ________ grams of phosphorus.

Answer 1

Answer: The mass of phosphorus that is present for given amount of calcium is 28.53 g.

Explanation:

We are given:

Mass of calcium = 50 grams

The chemical formula of calcium phosphate is $Ca_3(PO_4)_2$

Molar mass of calcium = 40 g/mol

Molar mass of phosphorus = 31 g/mol

In 1 mole of calcium phosphate, 120 grams of calcium is combining with 62 grams of phosphorus.

So, 50 grams of calcium will combine with = $\frac{62}{120}\times 50=28.53g$ of phosphorus.

Hence, the mass of phosphorus that is present for given amount of calcium is 28.53 g.