What is the formula of tin(IV) phosphate? Express your answer as a chemical formula.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The chemical formula of tin(IV) phosphate is Sn₃(PO₄)₄.
Explanation:
- Tin(IV) ion (Sn⁴⁺): The (IV) in tin(IV) indicates that tin has a +4 charge. The Roman numeral represents the oxidation state of the tin ion, meaning it has lost four electrons to become Sn⁴⁺.
- Phosphate ion (PO₄³⁻): The phosphate ion consists of one phosphorus (P) atom and four oxygen (O) atoms, and it has a -3 charge overall. This means it carries a negative charge of 3 units.
- Balancing Charges: To form a neutral compound, the total positive charge must equal the total negative charge. Since the tin ion has a +4 charge, and the phosphate ion has a -3 charge, we need to combine them in such a way that the charges balance out.
- Finding the Correct Ratios: In this case, we need three tin ions (each with a +4 charge) to balance the four phosphate ions (each with a -3 charge). This gives us: [
3 \times (+4) = +12
]
[
4 \times (-3) = -12
] The total positive charge (+12) equals the total negative charge (-12), resulting in a neutral compound. - Formula: Therefore, the formula for tin(IV) phosphate is Sn₃(PO₄)₄, where there are three tin(IV) ions and four phosphate ions in the compound.
Thus, the formula reflects the stoichiometric balance of charges between the tin ions and phosphate ions, ensuring that the compound is electrically neutral.