Which of the following is the correctly balanced chemical equation for the reaction between NaBr and H3PO4 to form Na3PO4 and HBr?

• A. NaBr + 3 H3PO4 → Na3PO4 + HBr
• B. NaBr + H3PO4 → NaPO4 + HBr
• C. 2 NaBr + H3PO4 → Na2PO4 + 2 HBr
• D. 3 NaBr + H3PO4 → Na3PO4 + 3 HBr

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction: sodium bromide (NaBr) reacts with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) to form sodium phosphate (Na3PO4) and hydrobromic acid (HBr).
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: \(\text{NaBr} + \text{H}_3\text{PO}_4 \rightarrow \text{Na}_3\text{PO}_4 + \text{HBr}\).
3. Balance the sodium (Na) atoms first. Since there are 3 sodium atoms in \(\text{Na}_3\text{PO}_4\), place a coefficient of 3 before NaBr: \$3 \text{NaBr} + \text{H}_3\text{PO}_4 \rightarrow \text{Na}_3\text{PO}_4 + \text{HBr}$.
4. Balance the bromine (Br) atoms next. There are 3 bromine atoms on the left (from 3 NaBr), so place a coefficient of 3 before HBr on the right: \$3 \text{NaBr} + \text{H}_3\text{PO}_4 \rightarrow \text{Na}_3\text{PO}_4 + 3 \text{HBr}$.
5. Check that hydrogen (H) and phosphorus (P) atoms are balanced. Phosphorus is balanced with 1 atom on each side, and hydrogen atoms are balanced because 3 H in \(\text{H}_3\text{PO}_4\) correspond to 3 H in 3 HBr.