Is the formula for Mercurous Phosphate (or Mercury (I) Phosphate) (Hg2) 3 (PO4) 2 or Hg3PO4? I have looked it up on the Internet and I have seen it both ways.

Question

Lara

Chemistry

11 August, 11:07

Is the formula for Mercurous Phosphate (or Mercury (I) Phosphate) (Hg2) 3 (PO4) 2 or Hg3PO4? I have looked it up on the Internet and I have seen it both ways.

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Answers (1)

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Karter Dean · Answer 1

In the compound mercurous phosphate, the mercury atoms are exhibiting a valence charge of + 1; on the other hand, phosphate ions possess a charge of - 3.

Therefore, when the two ions combine, the final compound will have the formula:

Hg₃PO₄

The formula (Hg₂) ₃ (PO₄) ₂ just contains two units of mercury (I) phosphate.