Question

Zinc phosphide, Zn3P2, is often used as a rat poison. Phosphorus has 5 valence electrons. How many valence electrons does each zinc atom lose?

Answer 1

Just saying, you might have better chances in the Chemistry section ^_^

Answer 2

Welcome to OpenStudy. This should be in Chemistry but, think of it this way: P has 5 valence and gains more(known from the fact that Zn loses). So to become stable and have 8 valence, it will receive 8-5 electrons. So it will have a charge of -(8-5), Multiply this by 2 and divide it by 3 because 2 P balances 3 Zn. Does that make sense to you?

Answer 3

O.o Why'd you delete that? I was reading it

Answer 4

I felt it was wrong. It probably was. Follow what @wolfe8 says. He's smarter.

Answer 5

Oh God >.<