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Which of the following ions has a -3 charge?

A) Carbonate (CO₃²⁻)
B) Phosphate (PO₄³⁻)
C) Arsenate (AsO₄³⁻)
D) Sulfate (SO₄²⁻)

User Huwiler
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The Phosphate ion (PO₄³⁻) has a -3 charge due to the valence of phosphorus and the number of oxygen atoms bonded to it.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ion that has a -3 charge is the Phosphate ion (PO₄³⁻). The phosphate ion consists of one phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms.

Phosphorus has a valence of +5, and there are four oxygen atoms with a valence of -2 each. Using the formula for calculating the charge on oxyanions, which is valence electrons on the central atom minus twice the number of oxygen atoms, we get a charge of -3 for the phosphate ion.

User Sandeep Thomas
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