Phosphate Formula Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025

Phosphorus (P) is the chemical element with atomic number 25 in the periodic table. It exists in two forms white phosphorus and red phosphorus. In generally found as phosphate as a mineral. Oxygen (O) is the chemical element with atomic number 8 in the periodic table.

Phosphate Formula

The chemical formula of Phosphate is **PO 4 3-. Phosphate contains one Phosphorus (P) atom and four Oxygen (O) atoms. In which one central Phosphorus (P) atom is surrounded by four Oxygen (O) atoms. It forms an ionic bond between these 2 atoms. It is also known as a Phosphate ion or Orthophosphate. It is a Polyatomic ion. It is present in bones, teeth, and genes in the human body.

Structure of Phosphate

It has one central phosphorus atom, which is surrounded by four oxygen atoms in a tetrahedral shape.

Physical Properties of Phosphate

• The molecular weight of phosphate is 94.97 g/mol.
• It has 4 hydrogen bond acceptors.
• It has hydrogen as Conjugate acid phosphate.
• It is slightly soluble in water.

Chemical Properties of Phosphate

• When Phosphate is reacted with water, we get **Hydrogen Phosphate (HPO 4 ) and **Hydroxide (OH - ).

**PO 4 3- + H 2 O ⇢ HPO 4 2- **+ OH -

• When phosphate is reacted with silver, we get **Silver (I) Phosphate.

**PO 4 3- **+ 3Ag ⇢ Ag 3 PO 4

• When Phosphate is reacted with Nitric acid (HNO3), we get, **Nitrate ****(NO** 3 ) and **Hydrogen Phosphate (HPO 4 ).

**PO 4 3- + HNO 3 ⇢ NO 3 + HPO 4 .

Uses of Phosphate

• It is used as a polishing agent in toothpaste.
• It is used in pharmaceutical products.
• It is used in fire extinguishers.
• It is used as industrial cleaners.
• It is used for the production of pyrotechnics and fire shells.

**Question 1: Why is Phosphate used in plants?

**Answer:

Phosphorus is used as a function in absorbing and transforming energy from the sun for plants. It is essential nutrient in plants. It is used as a fertilizer production in plants.

**Question 2: Why do we need phosphate for humans?

**Answer:

Phosphate is present in bones, teeths and genes in human body. In helps to keep bones and muscles strong and safe. It also helps to keep bones and teeth healthy. It can also flush out the kidneys waste from the human body.

**Question 3: What are the health hazards of Phosphate?

**Answer:

**Health hazards of Phosphate:

• It can cause skin irritation.
• It can cause eye damage.
• By breathing phosphate, it can cause throat and nose irritation.
• It can also cause sneezing and cough.
• High exposure to phosphate can cause kidney and liver damage also.

**Question 4: What are the sources of phosphorus?

**Answer:

Main source of phosphorus is present in protein foods like milk products, milk, meat, nuts, lentils, grains, vegetables, fruits and beans. It helps us to keep our human body safe and healthy.

**Question 5: What are the uses of Phosphate?

**Answer:

When Phosphate reacts with **Nitrogen Dioxide****(NO** 2 ) and **water (H 2 O), we get **nitric acid (HNO 3 ) and **Phosphorus (P).

**H 3 PO 4 3- + 5NO 2 +H 2 O ⇢ P + 5HNO 3

**Question 6: What happens when Phosphate is reacted with Calcium?

**Answer:

When Phosphate is reacted with Calcium (Ca2+)we get **Calcium Phosphate (Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 ).

**3Ca 2+ + 2PO 4 3- ⇢ Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2

**Question 7: What happens when Phosphate is reacted with Lead?

**Answer:

When Phosphate is reacted with Lead (Pb2+) we get **Lead (II) Phosphate (Pb 3 (PO 4 ) 2 ).

**3Pb 2+ + 2PO 3- 4 ⇢ Pb 3 (PO 4 ) 2