Identify each of the following as an acid, base, or salt, and give its name:
a. H₃PO₄

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Recognize the chemical formula H₃PO₄. This formula represents a compound containing hydrogen (H) atoms bonded to a polyatomic ion (PO₄³⁻).
2. Step 2: Recall that acids are substances that release hydrogen ions (H⁺) when dissolved in water. The presence of hydrogen atoms at the beginning of the formula is a strong indicator that this compound is an acid.
3. Step 3: Identify the polyatomic ion PO₄³⁻ as phosphate. When combined with hydrogen ions, the compound is named based on the polyatomic ion.
4. Step 4: Apply the naming rules for acids. Since the phosphate ion ends in '-ate,' the acid name will end in '-ic.' Therefore, H₃PO₄ is named phosphoric acid.
5. Step 5: Conclude that H₃PO₄ is an acid, and its name is phosphoric acid.

Key Concepts

Acids

Acids are substances that can donate protons (H⁺ ions) in a chemical reaction. They typically have a sour taste and can turn blue litmus paper red. In aqueous solutions, acids increase the concentration of hydrogen ions, which is a key characteristic that defines their acidic nature.

Bases

Bases are substances that can accept protons or donate hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in a chemical reaction. They usually have a bitter taste and can turn red litmus paper blue. Bases decrease the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, which is essential for understanding their role in acid-base chemistry.

Salts

Salts are ionic compounds formed from the neutralization reaction between an acid and a base. They consist of cations from the base and anions from the acid. Salts can affect the pH of a solution depending on the strength of the acid and base from which they are derived, and they often have various applications in chemistry and industry.