the compound magnesium phosphate has the chemical formula mg3(po4)2. in this compound, phosphorous and…

the compound magnesium phosphate has the chemical formula mg3(po4)2. in this compound, phosphorous and oxygen act together as one charged particle, which is connected to magnesium, the other charged particle. what does the 2 mean in the formula 5mg3(po4)2? there are two elements in magnesium phosphate. there are two molecules of magnesium phosphate. there are two magnesium ions in a molecule of magnesium phosphate. there are two phosphate ions in a molecule of magnesium phosphate.

the compound magnesium phosphate has the chemical formula mg3(po4)2. in this compound, phosphorous and oxygen act together as one charged particle, which is connected to magnesium, the other charged particle. what does the 2 mean in the formula 5mg3(po4)2? there are two elements in magnesium phosphate. there are two molecules of magnesium phosphate. there are two magnesium ions in a molecule of magnesium phosphate. there are two phosphate ions in a molecule of magnesium phosphate.

Answer

Answer:

D. There are two phosphate ions in a molecule of magnesium phosphate.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze chemical formula structure

In $Mg_3(PO_4)_2$, the sub - script outside the parentheses applies to the group inside.

Step2: Identify meaning of 2

The 2 in $(PO_4)_2$ indicates that there are two phosphate ($PO_4^{3 -}$) ions in one molecule of magnesium phosphate. The 5 in front of $Mg_3(PO_4)_2$ is a coefficient indicating the number of magnesium phosphate molecules in a larger context, but the question is about the 2 within the formula of a single magnesium phosphate molecule.