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Topic: Lewis Structure of Na3PO4  (Read 18171 times)

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Offline junbumkim

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Lewis Structure of Na3PO4
« on: April 11, 2007, 10:05:27 PM »
How would you draw Na3PO4?
In total it has 24 electron...but I can't seem to figure out how Na would be attached to PO4
Help please...

Offline lemonoman

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Re: Lewis Structure of Na3PO4
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2007, 11:00:20 PM »
Na3PO4 might be better visualized as 3 Na+ ions with a PO43- ion.

So draw a PO43- ion's Lewis structure...then stick Na+ ions where you think they might want to go.

Hint: If you're trying to stick the Na atoms to P, that won't give you a valid structure.

Offline junbumkim

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Re: Lewis Structure of Na3PO4
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2007, 07:11:28 AM »
thanks for the help.

so total valence electron would be 5+24+3 = 32 for PO4- ?

8 electonrs are used to from 4 bonds between P and O. It leaves 24 electrons..
Then three oxgens would equally share 24 electrons, having 6 electrons per one oxgen atom.

Then Na would attach to 3 oxgens. Is there any special notation that I have to put on to indicate the bond between oxgen and Na is ionic?


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