Tin(II) phosphate is an ionic compound, and its formula is Sn3(PO4)2. In this compound, the ions involved are tin (Sn) and phosphate (PO4).
Here’s a breakdown of the ions:
- Tin(II) ion (Sn2+): The ‘II’ indicates that tin has a charge of +2.
- Phosphate ion (PO43-): The phosphate ion has a charge of -3.
To form a neutral compound, we need three Sn2+ ions to balance out two PO43- ions:
3 × (+2) + 2 × (−3) = 0
Thus, the overall formula for tin(II) phosphate is Sn3(PO4)2.