The confirmatory test for the phosphate ion () involves boiling it with concentrated and adding ammo — Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Chemistry Question
Question
The confirmatory test for the phosphate ion ($PO_4^{3-}$) involves boiling it with concentrated $HNO_3$ and adding ammonium molybdate to yield a canary yellow precipitate. How many atoms of Molybdenum (Mo) are present in one stoichiometric unit of this yellow precipitate?
Answer: 12
💡 Solution & Explanation
The canary yellow precipitate formed in the phosphate test is ammonium phosphomolybdate. Its exact chemical formula is $(NH_4)_3PO_4 \cdot 12MoO_3$ (or $(NH_4)_3[PMo_{12}O_{40}]$). Based on this stoichiometric formula, there are precisely 12 Molybdenum atoms in one unit.
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