Atomicity of ammonium phosphate molecule is

Options

A. 6
B. 20
C. 10
D. 15

Answer

To determine the atomicity of the ammonium phosphate molecule, we will follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Molecular Formula
The molecular formula for ammonium phosphate is given as \( \text{(NH}_4\text{)}_3\text{PO}_4 \).

### Step 2: Break Down the Molecular Formula
From the molecular formula, we can identify the individual components:
- Ammonium ion: \( \text{NH}_4^+ \)
- Phosphate ion: \( \text{PO}_4^{3-} \)

### Step 3: Count the Atoms in Each Component
1. **Ammonium Ion (\( \text{NH}_4^+ \))**:
- Nitrogen (N): 1 atom
- Hydrogen (H): 4 atoms

Since there are 3 ammonium ions:
- Total Nitrogen: \( 1 \times 3 = 3 \) atoms
- Total Hydrogen: \( 4 \times 3 = 12 \) atoms

2. **Phosphate Ion (\( \text{PO}_4^{3-} \))**:
- Phosphorus (P): 1 atom
- Oxygen (O): 4 atoms

### Step 4: Sum Up All the Atoms
Now, we will sum up all the atoms from both components:
- Total Nitrogen: 3 atoms
- Total Hydrogen: 12 atoms
- Total Phosphorus: 1 atom
- Total Oxygen: 4 atoms

Adding these together:
\[ \text{Total atoms} = 3 \, (\text{N}) + 12 \, (\text{H}) + 1 \, (\text{P}) + 4 \, (\text{O}) = 20 \, \text{atoms} \]

### Conclusion
The atomicity of the ammonium phosphate molecule is **20**.

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