Which of the following is the phosphate ion?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the phosphate ion?

Recognize common oxyanions by their central atom and formula. The phosphate ion is the one with phosphorus surrounded by four oxygens, giving the formula PO4^3- and an overall -3 charge. This combination—phosphorus + four oxygens with a -3 charge—distinguishes it from the others: sulfate has sulfur with four oxygens and a -2 charge (SO4^2-), carbonate has carbon with three oxygens (CO3^2-), and nitrate has nitrogen with three oxygens and a -1 charge (NO3^-). So PO4^3- is the phosphate ion.

Recognize common oxyanions by their central atom and formula. The phosphate ion is the one with phosphorus surrounded by four oxygens, giving the formula PO4^3- and an overall -3 charge. This combination—phosphorus + four oxygens with a -3 charge—distinguishes it from the others: sulfate has sulfur with four oxygens and a -2 charge (SO4^2-), carbonate has carbon with three oxygens (CO3^2-), and nitrate has nitrogen with three oxygens and a -1 charge (NO3^-). So PO4^3- is the phosphate ion.

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