Sodium phosphate can be used as a driveway degreaser.When added to water,the following equilibrium is attained.Sodium phosphate is acting as a(n)______. Na₃PO₄_(aq)+ 3H₂O _(l) H₃PO₄_(aq) + 3OH^-_(aq) A)Brønsted acid B)Brønsted base C)Arrhenius acid D)Arrhenius base

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the given equilibrium, sodium phosphate (Na3PO4) is acting as a Brønsted base as it accepts protons (H+) from water and forms the conjugate acid HPO42-. The presence of OH- ions in the equation suggests that the water is acting as a Brønsted acid, which donates protons to form OH- ions. Sodium phosphate does not produce H+ ions, which are characteristic of Arrhenius acids, and does not produce OH- ions in significant quantities, which are characteristic of Arrhenius bases. Therefore, the best choice is B, Brønsted base.

Sodium Phosphate Can Be Used as a Driveway Degreaser