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Write the name for Mg₃(PO₄)₂.

a. trimagnesium phosphorustetraoxide
b. magnesium(II) phosphite
c. magnesium phosphite
d. magnesium phosphate
e. magnesium(III) phosphite

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Mg₃(PO₄)₂ is named magnesium phosphate, an ionic compound consisting of magnesium cations and phosphate anions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct name for the compound Mg₃(PO₄)₂ is magnesium phosphate. This compound is an ionic compound consisting of the magnesium cation (Mg²⁺) and the phosphate anion (PO₄³⁻). In naming ionic compounds, the metal cation name (magnesium) is written first, followed by the name of the polyatomic ion (phosphate), without changing the ending of the polyatomic ion's name.

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