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To count atoms easily, how can the formula of calcium phosphate, Ca3(PO4)2, be rewritten in a simpler format?
ACa3PO4
BCa3P2O8
CCa3P2O12
DCa2P3O8
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Ca3P2O8
1. The bracket subscript 2 multiplies everything inside the parentheses.
2. Two phosphate groups give 2 phosphorus atoms and 2 x 4 = 8 oxygen atoms.
3. With the 3 calcium atoms the simple format is Ca3P2O8.
4. Reading the bracket contents only once gives Ca3PO4, which loses a whole phosphate group.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 3 "Composition of Substances and Solutions", section 3.1 Formula Mass and the Mole Concept_
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