What is the correct chemical formula for hydrophosphoric acid?

• A. HPO3
• B. H2PO3
• C. H3P
• D. H3PO4

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the naming and composition of hydrophosphoric acid. Hydrophosphoric acid is another name for phosphoric acid, which is a common oxyacid of phosphorus.
2. Step 2: Recall the general formula for phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid contains phosphorus (P), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H) atoms arranged in a specific ratio.
3. Step 3: Recognize that phosphoric acid has three acidic hydrogen atoms attached to oxygen atoms bonded to phosphorus, giving it the formula \(\mathrm{H_3PO_4}\).
4. Step 4: Compare the given options with the known formula for phosphoric acid. The correct formula should have 3 hydrogens, 1 phosphorus, and 4 oxygens, matching \(\mathrm{H_3PO_4}\).
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct chemical formula for hydrophosphoric acid is \(\mathrm{H_3PO_4}\).