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$ N{a_3}P{O_4} $ is made from which acid base?

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Last updated date: 28th Sep 2024
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Answer
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Hint: Sodium phosphate is a generic term for a variety of salts of sodium with phosphate. Trisodium phosphate is an inorganic salt with a molecular formula of $ N{a_3}P{O_4} $ . It is a crystalline, granular, white coloured solid. It is also known as an amphoteric salt. Amphoteric salts are those salts which can act as both acid and base.

Complete answer:
Trisodium phosphate is highly soluble in water. It is a phosphate salt of sodium.
Now let’s talk about the composition of the trisodium phosphate, $ N{a_3}P{O_4} $ .
As salts are composed of acid and base. Few are made from strong acid and weak base while few salts are composed of strong base and weak acid.
So, trisodium phosphate, $ N{a_3}P{O_4} $ is slightly acidic in nature.
 $ N{a_3}P{O_4} $ , Trisodium phosphate is composed of $ {H_3}P{O_4} $ acid and the base – sodium hydroxide $ NaOH $ .
Let’s see the balanced chemical reaction:
 $ 3NaOH + {H_3}P{O_4} \to N{a_3}P{O_4} + 3{H_2}O $
So, we can see clearly that $ N{a_3}P{O_4} $ , trisodium phosphate is made up of $ {H_3}P{O_4} $ acid and $ NaOH $ , sodium hydroxide base.
Hence, $ N{a_3}P{O_4} $ , Trisodium phosphate is slightly acidic in nature (based on its $ p{k_a} $ value).

Note:
 $ N{a_3}P{O_4} $ , trisodium phosphate has a molecular formula of $ 163.94gmo{l^{ - 1}} $ . one important point to keep in mind is that the $ N{a_3}P{O_4} $ , Trisodium phosphate being only slightly acidic can be used as an amphoteric material i.e. it can both act as an acidic and basic solution. It is insoluble in polar solvents like ethanol. $ N{a_3}P{O_4} $ , Trisodium phosphate has found its many uses in the laboratories as well as in daily life. It is used as a lubricant, disinfectant and as a bleaching agent. Therefore it is a cleansing agent as a stain remover.