Answered

Which formula represents strontium phosphate?
(1) SrPO4 (3) Sr2(PO4)3
(2) Sr3PO8 (4) Sr3(PO4)2



Answer :

Strontium has a charge of 2+ as an ion, and [tex] PO_{4} [/tex] a charge of -3. So to get an equal charge, the least common multiple is 6, so you would need 3 Strontium ions and you would need 2 phosphate ions. Keep in mind that you have to multiply the entire ion, so you would need to have [tex] (PO_{4})_{2} [/tex], NOT [tex] PO_{8} [/tex] because then you would only have 1 phosphorous, and that would not be phosphate anymore.
So the correct one is #4

Answer: The correct answer is Option 3.

Explanation:

Strontium is the 38th element of the periodic table having electronic configuration of [tex][Kr]5s^2[/tex]

This element will loose 2 electrons to form [tex]Sr^{2+}[/tex] ion.

Phosphate ion is the polyatomic ion having formula of [tex]PO_4^{3-}[/tex]

By criss-cross method, the oxidation state of the ions form the subscript of the other atom which represents the number of atoms.

Hence, the chemical formula of strontium phosphate becomes [tex]Sr_3(PO_4)_2[/tex]

Thus, the correct answer is Option 3.