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phosphoric acid h3po4 is an important industrial chemical used in fertilizers, d

ID: 917367 • Letter: P

Question

phosphoric acid h3po4 is an important industrial chemical used in fertilizers, detergents, and the food industry. it is produced by two different methods. In the electric furnace method elemental phosphorus P4 is in air to form P4O10, which is then combined with water to give H3PO4. In the wet process the mineral phosphate rock Ca5(PO4)3F is combined with sulfuric acid to give H3PO4 and HF and CaSO4. Write equations for these processes, and classify each step as preciptation, acid-base, or redox reaction

Explanation / Answer

Reaction 1: P4 + 5O2 ----------> P4O10   (Redox)

Reaction 2: P4O10 + 6H2O -------------> 4H3PO4   (Acid Base)

Reaction 3: Ca5(PO4)3F + 5H2SO4 ----------> 3H3PO4 + HF + 5CaSO4   (precipitation)