The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between potassium hydroxide and phosphoric acid is: 3 KOH ( aq ) + H3PO4 ( aq ) K3PO4 ( aq ) + 3 H2O ( l ) We can interpret this to mean: 3 moles of potassium hydroxide and mole(s) of phosphoric acid React to produce: mole(s) of potassium phosphate and mole(s) of water
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between potassium hydroxide (KOH) and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) is: 3KOH (aq)+H₃PO₄ (aq)→K₃PO₄ (aq)+3H₂O (l)3 \text{KOH (aq)} + \text{H₃PO₄ (aq)} \rightarrow \text{K₃PO₄ (aq)} + 3 \text{H₂O (l)}3KOH (aq)+H₃PO₄ (aq)→K₃PO₄ (aq)+3H₂O (l)
This equation tells us that 3 moles of potassium hydroxide react with 1 mole of phosphoric acid to produce 1 mole of potassium phosphate (K₃PO₄) and 3 moles of water (H₂O).
Explanation:
- Reactants:
- Potassium hydroxide (KOH): This is a strong base, and it dissociates in water to produce K⁺ and OH⁻ ions.
- Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄): This is a weak acid, and it dissociates to give H⁺ ions.
- Reaction Stoichiometry:
- The ratio 3:1 between KOH and H₃PO₄ means that for every 3 moles of KOH, 1 mole of H₃PO₄ is required. This is based on the balanced chemical equation.
- In the reaction, 3 moles of hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from KOH react with the hydrogen ions (H⁺) from H₃PO₄. Each reaction forms a water molecule (H₂O), which is why you get 3 moles of water as the product.
- Potassium phosphate (K₃PO₄): The K⁺ ions from KOH combine with the PO₄³⁻ from phosphoric acid to form potassium phosphate, K₃PO₄, which is soluble in water as indicated by (aq) in the equation.
- Product Formation:
- The products are potassium phosphate (K₃PO₄) and water. Since the equation is balanced, the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the reaction.
In conclusion, the chemical reaction shows that:
- 3 moles of potassium hydroxide react with 1 mole of phosphoric acid to produce:
- 1 mole of potassium phosphate and
- 3 moles of water.
