What is the charge of the phosphate ion in K3PO4?

• A. +3
• B. -2
• C. -1
• D. -3

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the chemical formula of the compound given: K3PO4, which consists of potassium (K) ions and phosphate (PO4) ions.
2. Recall that potassium (K) is an alkali metal that typically forms a +1 charge as an ion (K⁺).
3. Since there are 3 potassium ions, the total positive charge contributed by potassium is 3 × (+1) = +3.
4. The compound K3PO4 is electrically neutral overall, so the total negative charge from the phosphate ion must balance the +3 charge from potassium.
5. Set up the equation for charge balance: charge of phosphate ion + 3(+1) = 0, which means the charge of the phosphate ion is -3.