What is the chemical equation for calcium + phosphorus ---> calcium phosphide?

1 Answer
BRIAN M.
May 13, 2014

Calcium + Phosphorous to produce Calcium Phosphide is an ionic synthesis reaction.

Calcium has a charge of #Ca^(+2)#.Phosphorous has a charge of #P^-3#. To bond these two ions together, their charges must be equal and opposite. Therefore we need 3 #Ca^(+2)# ions to balance with 2 #P^-3# in order to balance their charges at 6 for the molecule #Ca_3P_2#.

#3Ca + 2P -> Ca_3P_2#

I hope this was helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER


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