If I have an unknown metal M with a charge of +1, and a polyatomic ion phosphate, write the formula
First, if you have an unknown metal, M, it has a charge of zero. Now if the metal is ionized and it has a charge of +1, then the formula will be
M3PO4
To write the formula, we need to determine the charges of the metal and the phosphate polyatomic ion.
The phosphate ion has a charge of -3 since it contains four oxygen atoms, each with a charge of -2, and a central phosphorus atom with a charge of +5.
Since the metal M has a charge of +1, we can determine the formula by combining the metal and the phosphate ion in a way that balances the charges.
To balance the charges, we need three phosphate ions each with a charge of -3 to neutralize the charge of the metal ion (+1).
Therefore, the formula for the compound is M3(PO4)3.
To write the formula of a compound formed between the unknown metal M with a charge of +1 and a polyatomic ion phosphate, you need to determine the charges of each ion involved.
The phosphate ion, commonly written as PO4^3-, has a charge of -3. Since the overall compound must be electrically neutral, the sum of the charges of all the ions in the compound should add up to zero.
Given that the metal M has a charge of +1, you need three phosphate ions to balance out the charge. Therefore, you would write the formula as M3(PO4) or simply M3PO4.
Note that without more specific information about the metal M, we cannot determine its actual name or identity. The formula M3PO4 represents a compound with three M ions bonded to one phosphate ion.