The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between potassium hydroxide and phosphoric acid is: 3KOH(aq) + H3PO4(aq) K3PO4(aq) + 3H2O(l) we interpert this to mean: 3 moles of potassium hydroxide and ______moles of phosphoric acid, react to produce________moles of potassium phosphate and __________moles of water. ÂÂ
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between potassium hydroxide and phosphoric acid is:
3KOH(aq) + H3PO4(aq) K3PO4(aq) + 3H2O(l)
we interpert this to mean:ÂÂ
3 moles of potassium hydroxide and ______moles of phosphoric acid, react to produce________moles of potassium phosphate and __________moles of water.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Answer:
3 moles of potassium hydroxide and 1 mole of phosphoric acid react to produce 1 mole of potassium phosphate and 3 moles of water.
Explanation:
The given balanced chemical equation is:
[
3KOH(aq) + H_3PO_4(aq) \rightarrow K_3PO_4(aq) + 3H_2O(l)
]
This equation represents a neutralization reaction between a strong base (potassium hydroxide, KOH) and a triprotic acid (phosphoric acid, H₃PO₄). In such reactions, the hydroxide ions ((OH^-)) from the base react with the hydrogen ions ((H^+)) from the acid to form water ((H_2O)), while the remaining ions combine to form a salt.
Step-by-step interpretation:
- Reactants:
- Potassium hydroxide (KOH): The equation shows 3 moles of KOH participating in the reaction.
- Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄): Only 1 mole of H₃PO₄ is needed for the reaction.
- Products:
- Potassium phosphate (K₃PO₄): The equation indicates that 1 mole of potassium phosphate is formed.
- Water (H₂O): The reaction produces 3 moles of water.
Why is the ratio 3:1:1:3?
- Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) has three hydrogen ((H^+)) ions available for reaction.
- Potassium hydroxide (KOH) releases one hydroxide ((OH^-)) ion per molecule.
- To fully neutralize one mole of H₃PO₄, we need three moles of KOH because:
[
H_3PO_4 + 3OH^- \rightarrow PO_4^{3-} + 3H_2O
] - This results in the formation of one mole of K₃PO₄ and three moles of water.
Thus, the equation is correctly balanced, ensuring both atom and charge conservation, and the stoichiometric coefficients give us the correct molar interpretation: 3:1:1:3.