How many p =O bonds and P - OH bonds (respectively )are present in orthophosphoric acid ?

Options

A. 2,1
B. 3,3
C. 1,3
D. 4,3

Answer

To determine the number of P=O (phosphorus double bond oxygen) bonds and P-OH (phosphorus single bond hydroxyl) bonds in orthophosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Structure of Orthophosphoric Acid
Orthophosphoric acid has the chemical formula H₃PO₄. It consists of one phosphorus atom (P), four oxygen atoms (O), and three hydrogen atoms (H).

### Step 2: Draw the Lewis Structure
To visualize the bonds, we can draw the Lewis structure of orthophosphoric acid:
- The phosphorus atom is at the center.
- One oxygen atom is double-bonded to phosphorus (P=O).
- The other three oxygen atoms are single-bonded to phosphorus (P-O) and each of these oxygen atoms is also bonded to a hydrogen atom (forming P-OH).

### Step 3: Count the P=O Bonds
From the structure, we can see that there is:
- **1 P=O bond** (the double bond between phosphorus and one oxygen atom).

### Step 4: Count the P-OH Bonds
Next, we count the P-OH bonds:
- There are **3 P-OH bonds** (each of the three single-bonded oxygen atoms is attached to a hydrogen atom).

### Conclusion
Thus, in orthophosphoric acid, there is:
- **1 P=O bond**
- **3 P-OH bonds**

### Final Answer
The answer is: 1 P=O bond and 3 P-OH bonds.

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