Question

Write the formula and names of the compounds formed between :
Ammonium and phosphate ions

Answer 1

Ammonium and phosphate ions:

1. Ammonium ions are cations and are denoted as ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}$.
2. Phosphate ions are anions and are denoted as ${\mathrm{PO}}_4^{3-}$.

Compound:

1. Ammonium ions combine with Phosphate ions to form the compound Ammonium Phosphate.
2. The valencies interchange, the valency of Ammonium ion is 1 which moves to phosphate ion and the valency of phosphate ion is -3 which moves to ammonium ion.
3. Hence, Ammonium Phosphate has a chemical formula ${\left({\mathrm{NH}}_4\right)}_3{\mathrm{PO}}_4$.