alleryStart learning →Magnesium has valency 2; phosphate radical has valency 3. Formula of magnesium phosphate is
AMg2PO4 directly
BMg2(PO4)3 directly
CMg3(PO4)2
DMg3PO4 directly
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Mg3(PO4)2
1. Use criss-cross with valencies 2 (Mg) and 3 (PO4).
2. Mg gets subscript 3; PO4 gets subscript 2.
3. Neutral formula: Mg3(PO4)2.
4. Check: 3(+2) + 2(-3) = 0, balanced.
_Source: Selina Concise Chemistry Class 9, Ch 4 The Language of Chemistry (Mistral OCR'd PDF), section on chemical formula_
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