Enter the formula for the compound lead(II) phosphate. Express your answer as a chemical formula.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The formula for lead(II) phosphate is Pb₃(PO₄)₂.
Explanation:
To understand how this formula is derived, we need to consider the charges on the ions involved and apply the principles of ionic bonding.
- Lead(II) ion (Pb²⁺):
The “II” in lead(II) indicates that lead has a +2 charge in this compound. Therefore, the lead ion is represented as Pb²⁺. - Phosphate ion (PO₄³⁻):
The phosphate ion is a polyatomic ion with the formula PO₄³⁻. The “³⁻” indicates that the phosphate ion carries a -3 charge.
To combine these ions into a neutral compound, we need to balance the total positive and negative charges. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- The lead ion (Pb²⁺) has a charge of +2.
- The phosphate ion (PO₄³⁻) has a charge of -3.
To achieve neutrality in the compound, we need to determine how many of each ion are required so that the total positive charge equals the total negative charge. Since the charges on the lead and phosphate ions are 2 and 3, respectively, the least common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6. Therefore:
- We need 3 lead ions (each with a +2 charge) to provide a total positive charge of +6.
- We need 2 phosphate ions (each with a -3 charge) to provide a total negative charge of -6.
Thus, the neutral compound will consist of 3 lead ions and 2 phosphate ions, giving the formula Pb₃(PO₄)₂.
Conclusion:
The chemical formula for lead(II) phosphate is Pb₃(PO₄)₂, ensuring that the charges are balanced and the compound is electrically neutral.