Magnesium Phosphate Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Magnesium phosphate, Mg₃(PO₄)₂, is a mineral that can be found in bones, many plant seeds, and a variety of minerals. It’s used to supplement one’s diet with magnesium. The interaction of magnesium chloride or sulfate with the phosphate salt can produce tribasic magnesium phosphate. It’s simple to make the solution by stirring some salt with carbon dioxide-free water for several hours.

Magnesium Phosphate Formula

Magnesium phosphate has the chemical formula Mg₃(PO₄)₂ and comprises the ions magnesium (Mg²⁺) and phosphate (PO^3–₄). Magnesium and phosphate ions are linked via an ionic connection. As a result, it is classified as an ionic compound.

Magnesium Phosphate Structure

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Physical Properties of Magnesium Phosphate

The following are the physical properties of magnesium phosphate,

1. Magnesium phosphate is a crystalline white powder.
2. The majority of phosphate salts are water-soluble. Magnesium phosphate, on the other hand, is insoluble in water due to the fact that magnesium salts are normally insoluble in water. Magnesium cations are insoluble in most cases. It can be dissolved in salt solutions.
3. Magnesium phosphate has a melting point of 1457K.

Chemical Properties of Magnesium Phosphate

The following are the chemical characteristics of magnesium phosphate,

• The reaction of Magnesium phosphate with Hydrochloric Acid: When magnesium phosphate combines with hydrochloric acid, it produces magnesium chloride salt and phosphoric acid. The chemical equation for the reaction is as follows,

Mg₃(PO₄)₂ + 6HCl → 3MgCl₂ + 2H₃PO₄

• The reaction of Magnesium phosphate with Sodium Hydroxide: Sodium phosphate and magnesium hydroxide are formed when magnesium phosphate interacts with sodium hydroxide. The chemical equation for the reaction is as follows,

Mg₃(PO₄)₂ + 6NaOH → 2Na₃PO₄ + 3Mg(OH)₂

Uses of Magnesium Phosphate

1. Magnesium phosphate is mostly used in food as an acidity control.
2. Fertilizers contain it.
3. It’s a polishing agent for dentifrices.
4. Cosmetics, shampoos, toothpaste, perfumes, and other products include it.
5. It’s utilized as an adsorbent, a plastic stabilizer, and more.
6. It’s also utilized in agricultural goods that aren’t pesticides.
7. Vitamin E insufficiency is also treated with it.
8. Magnesium phosphate is a nutritional supplement that helps people with magnesium insufficiency.
9. It’s utilized as an anti-caking agent in cleaning products that contain silicate.

Sample Questions

Question 1: What is magnesium phosphate used for?

Answer:

Magnesium phosphate is a common ingredient in medications that help muscles relax. This chemical is also used to keep muscles from cramping. Vitamin E insufficiency is also prevented by magnesium phosphate.

Question 2: What are the physical properties of magnesium phosphate?

Answer:

1. Magnesium phosphate is a white powder with a crystalline structure.
2. Water is soluble in the majority of phosphate salts. Magnesium phosphate, on the other hand, is water insoluble since magnesium salts are generally water insoluble. In most circumstances, magnesium cations are insoluble. Salt solutions can be used to dissolve it.
3. The melting point of magnesium phosphate is 1457K.

Question 3: What will happen when Magnesium phosphate reacts with Sodium Hydroxide?

Answer:

When magnesium phosphate reacts with sodium hydroxide, sodium phosphate and magnesium hydroxide are produced.

Mg₃(PO4)₂ + 6NaOH → 2Na₃PO₄ + 3Mg(OH)₂

Question 4: What are the uses of Magnesium phosphate?

Answer:

Magnesium phosphate is a common ingredient in medications that help muscles relax. This chemical is also used to keep muscles from cramping. Vitamin E insufficiency is also prevented by magnesium phosphate.

Question 5: What will happen when  Magnesium phosphate reacts with Hydrochloric Acid?

Answer:

Magnesium phosphate creates magnesium chloride salt and phosphoric acid when it reacts with hydrochloric acid.

Mg₃(PO₄)₂ + 6HCl → 3MgCl₂ + 2H₃PO₄

Question 6: When magnesium phosphate is combined with water, what happens?

Answer:

Magnesium phosphate undergoes a chemical reaction with water, yielding magnesium hydroxide and phosphoric acid as the end products.

Question 7: How many moles of magnesium phosphate Mg₃(PO₄)₂ will contain 0.25 mole of oxygen atoms?

Answer:

There are 8 oxygen atoms in each molecule of magnesium phosphate. As a result, one mole of magnesium phosphate contains 8 moles of oxygen.

As a result, there are 0.25 moles of oxygen atoms in 1/8 × 0.25 = 3.125 × 10⁻² moles of magnesium phosphate.