Question

How many sodium cations (Na⁺) would it take to balance out a phosphate anion (PO₄²⁻)?

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4

Answer 1

Two sodium cations (Na⁺) are needed to balance out a phosphate anion (PO₄²⁻).

Step-by-step explanation:

The phosphate anion (PO₄²⁻) has a charge of -2 because it has gained two electrons. The sodium cation (Na⁺) has a charge of +1 because it has lost one electron. To balance the charges, you would need two sodium cations (2 Na⁺) to neutralize the single phosphate anion (PO₄²⁻). Therefore, the correct answer is (b) 2.