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Is the formula for Mercurous Phosphate (or Mercury (I) Phosphate) (Hg2)3(PO4)2 or Hg3PO4? I have looked it up on the Internet and I have seen it both ways.

Respuesta :

scme1702
In the compound mercurous phosphate, the mercury atoms are exhibiting a valence charge of +1; on the other hand, phosphate ions possess a charge of -3.

Therefore, when the two ions combine, the final compound will have the formula:
Hg₃PO₄

The formula (Hg₂)₃(PO₄)₂ just contains two units of mercury (I) phosphate.