Question

When an aqueous solution of sodium phosphate (Na3PO4) and an aqueous solution of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) are mixed, a precipitate forms. Write the chemical formula of the precipitate.

Answer 1

Answer: The chemical formula of this precipitate is $Mg_{3}(PO_{4})_{2}$.

Explanation:

An equation which depicts the chemical reaction of substances in the form of chemical formulas is called a chemical equation.

For example, chemical equation for an aqueous solution of sodium phosphate $(Na_{3}PO_{4})$ and an aqueous solution of magnesium sulfate $(MgSO_{4})$ are mixed, a precipitate forms is as follows.

$3MgSO_{4}(aq) + 2Na_{3}PO_{4}(aq) \rightarrow Mg_{3}(PO_{4})_{2}(s) + 3Na_{2}SO_{4}(aq)$

Here, trimagnesium phosphate is the precipitate. The chemical formula of this precipitate is $Mg_{3}(PO_{4})_{2}$.

Thus, we can conclude that the chemical formula of this precipitate is $Mg_{3}(PO_{4})_{2}$.