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The oxidation state of phosphorus is +3 in

a) Orthophosphoric acid b) Phosphorus acid
c) Metaphosphoric acid d) Phyrophosphoric acid​

User Ben Dyer
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1 Answer

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Answer:

b) Phosphorus acid

Step-by-step explanation:

To distinguish the type of acid of phosphorus with the oxidation state of +3, we need to be familiar with the chemical formula of each of the compounds:

Orthophosphoric acid H₃PO₄

Phosphorus acid H₃PO₃

Metaphosphoric acid HPO₃

Phyrophosphoric acid​ H₄P₂O₇

Now that we know the formula of the given compounds, the algebraic sum of all the oxidation numbers of all atoms in a neutral compound is zero:

Only phosphorus acid yielded an oxidation state of +3 for phosphorus in the compound.

H₃PO₃:

we know the oxidation state of H = +1

O = -2

The oxidation state of P is unknown. We can express this as an equation:

3(+1) + P + 3(-2) = 0

3 + P -6 = 0

P-3 = 0

P = +3

User Terry
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