Question

The valency of phosphate ion is ____.

Answer 1

Phosphate ion:

• Phosphate ion is a polyatomic ion composed of phosphorous and oxygen atoms with formula ${{\mathbf{PO}}_{\mathbf{4}}}^{\mathbf{3}\mathbf{-}}$.
• The molecular geometry of phosphate ion is tetrahedral where phosphorous is at centre (central metal atom) and is surrounded by four oxygen atoms. Considering the bonding, the oxygen atoms form double bond with phosphorous.

Thus, the valency of phosphate ion is -3 .