During the smelting of certain ores, basic fluxes react with acidic impurities to form specific fusi — Metallurgy and Isolation of Elements Chemistry Question
Question
During the smelting of certain ores, basic fluxes react with acidic impurities to form specific fusible slags. In exactly one formula unit of the "Thomas slag" ($Ca_3(PO_4)_2$)—which is formed when Phosphorus pentoxide reacts with a basic lime flux—what is the total discrete number of oxygen atoms present?
Answer: 8
💡 Solution & Explanation
The chemical formula for Thomas slag is Calcium phosphate, $Ca_3(PO_4)_2$. Examining the stoichiometry of the anion $(PO_4)^{3-}$, there are 4 oxygen atoms per phosphate group. Since there are 2 phosphate groups per formula unit, the total number of oxygen atoms is $4 \times 2 = 8$.
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