QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
What is the total number of valence electrons in the phosphate ion?
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this step-by-step following the LaTeX formatting guidelines precisely:
Step 2:: Identify the composition of the phosphate ion
• The phosphate ion is $$PO_{4}^{3-}
• It contains one phosphorus (P) atom and four oxygen (O) atoms
Step 3:: Determine valence electrons for phosphorus
\text{Phosphorus valence electrons} = 5
• Phosphorus is in Group 15 (VA) • Phosphorus has 5 valence electrons
Step 4:: Determine valence electrons for oxygen
\text{Oxygen valence electrons} = 6 \times 4 = 24
• Oxygen is in Group 16 (VIA) • Oxygen has 6 valence electrons • There are 4 oxygen atoms
Step 5:: Account for the ion's charge
\text{Charge electrons} = 3
• The phosphate ion has a 3 - charge • This means 3 additional electrons are present
Step 6:: Calculate total valence electrons
\text{Total valence electrons} = 5 + 24 + 3 = 32
Final Answer
The phosphate ion PO_{4}^{3 -} has 32 total valence electrons.
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