Question

The phosphate of a metal has the formula $MHP{O}_4$. The formula of its chloride would be

• A. $MCl$
• B. $MC{l}_2$
• C. $MC{l}_3$
• D. $M_{2}C{l}_3$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Since the phosphate of a metal is $MHP{O}_4$ , therefore, metal M must be divalent, i.e., $M^{2+}$ . As a result, the formula of its chloride is $MC{l}_2.$