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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for barium phosphate?
A
Ba2(PO4)3
B
BaPO4
C
Ba(PO4)2
D
Ba3(PO4)2
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the ions involved: barium ion (Ba) and phosphate ion (PO4). Barium typically forms a +2 charge (Ba^{2+}), and phosphate has a -3 charge (PO4^{3-}).
Determine the ratio of ions needed to balance the total positive and negative charges so that the compound is electrically neutral.
Set up the charge balance equation: let the number of barium ions be x and phosphate ions be y. Then, the total positive charge is 2x and the total negative charge is 3y. For neutrality, 2x = 3y.
Find the smallest whole number ratio of x to y that satisfies 2x = 3y. This ratio is x = 3 and y = 2.
Write the chemical formula using the ratio found: Ba_{3}(PO_{4})_{2}, indicating 3 barium ions and 2 phosphate ions combined to form barium phosphate.