Question

how to calculate the number of neutrons in phosphate ion

Answer 1

phosphate=(PO4)
no of neutron in P=31-15= 16 neutrons
no of neutron in O=16-8=8 neutrons
total no of neutrons in (PO4)3= (16+8+8+8+8)
48 neutrons

Answer 2

Answer:

There are 48 neutrons in phosphate ion $\left(P O_{4}^{3^{-}}\right)$.

Explanation:

The chemical formula for the phosphate ion is $\left(P O_{4}^{3^{-}}\right)$.

First, need to find out the number of atoms come from each atom in phosphate ion.

The atomic number of phosphorus P is 31.

Which has 15 protons, 16 neutrons and 15 electrons.

The atomic number of ion O is 16.

Which has 8 protons, 8 neutrons and 8 electrons.

So, generally there would be (16 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 48 neutrons) in the phosphate ion.