how many atoms of phosphorus are in 4.50 mol of copper(ii) phosphate
Use Avogadro's number 6.022x10^23
Because copper (II) cations have a charge of +2 and phosphate anions have a charge of -3, the formula of anhydrous* copper (II) phosphate is Cu3(PO4)2. This shows that each formula unit contains 2 atoms of phosphorus. Therefore, the atoms of phosphorus in 4.8 formula units is 4.8 x Avogadro's Number, or about 2.9 X 1024 atoms, to the justified number of significant digits. ____________________________________ The answer to the problem will be the same if hydrated copper (II) phosphate is assumed, because the water of hydration contains no phosphorus and the quantity is specified in moles or formula units, but the formula would be different.
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