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Consider an aqueous solution of calcium nitrate added to an aqueous solution of sodium phosphate. What is the formula of the solid formed in the reaction?

A) Ca(PO₄)²
B) CaPO₄
C) Ca₃(PO₄)²
D) Ca₃(PO₃)²
E) none of these

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

When calcium nitrate and sodium phosphate solutions are mixed, a double replacement reaction produces the insoluble solid calcium phosphate, with the formula Ca₃(PO₄)₂.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an aqueous solution of calcium nitrate is combined with an aqueous solution of sodium phosphate, a precipitation reaction occurs, forming a solid. Looking at the dissolution reactions provided, we can deduce the ions present in these solutions. Calcium nitrate dissociates into Ca²⁺ (calcium ions) and NO₃⁻ (nitrate ions), while sodium phosphate dissociates into Na⁺ (sodium ions) and PO₄³⁻ (phosphate ions).

When these two solutions are mixed, a double replacement reaction occurs, and the insoluble product that will precipitate out is calcium phosphate. According to the solubility rules, the chemical formula for the insoluble calcium phosphate is Ca₃(PO₄)₂. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is C) Ca₃(PO₄)₂, representing the formula of the solid formed in the reaction.

User SmartTom
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