Question

When an aqueous solution of sodium phosphate (Na3PO4) and an aqueous solution of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) are mixed, a precipitate forms. Write the chemical formula of the precipitate.

Answer 1

Answer: The chemical formula of this precipitate is
`Mg_(3)(PO_(4))_(2)`.

Step-by-step explanation:

An equation which depicts the chemical reaction of substances in the form of chemical formulas is called a chemical equation.

For example, chemical equation for an aqueous solution of sodium phosphate
`(Na_(3)PO_(4))` and an aqueous solution of magnesium sulfate
`(MgSO_(4))` are mixed, a precipitate forms is as follows.

`3MgSO_(4)(aq) + 2Na_(3)PO_(4)(aq) \rightarrow Mg_(3)(PO_(4))_(2)(s) + 3Na_(2)SO_(4)(aq)`

Here, trimagnesium phosphate is the precipitate. The chemical formula of this precipitate is
`Mg_(3)(PO_(4))_(2)`.

Thus, we can conclude that the chemical formula of this precipitate is
`Mg_(3)(PO_(4))_(2)`.