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MandarineHumble8940

What is the formula of trihydrogen phosphate?

Anthony B

Hi Fwance,

Thank you for your question!😉

To identify the chemical formula from the name of the molecule, you need to look at the order of the atomes/ions and the prefix to determine the number of atoms/ions in the molecule.

However, the molecule that you have to name is an acid, therefore these rules don't really apply. When you have to find the chemical formula of an acid, you need the start with the hydrogen first and then the other atoms/ions.

In your situation, the prefix ''tri'' means that there is three atoms of hydrogen and the phosphate has no prefix, so there is only one in the molecule.

With all these information, you can determine that the chemical formula of the trihydrogen phosphate is : H3PO4.

Also, this particular molecule is usually known as phosphoric acid.

I hope it helps and feel free to write us again!

Anthony B.