Question

Write the valency of the following radical.

Phosphate

Answer 1

Definition of valency

Valency is the combining capacity of an atom. That is, number of electrons that an atom can donate, accept or share to attain stable configuration.

• In Phosphate ion, one Phosphorous and 4 Oxygen are present.
• Valency of Phosphorous = +5
• Valency of Oxygen = -2
• Valency of 4 Oxygen atoms= $4\times {}^{-}2={}^{-}8$.
• Total valency of Phosphate ion = $+5-8=-3$ ie 3
• It is represented as ${{\mathrm{PO}}_4}^{-3}$