Question
Question: Explain how \(4C{{a}_{3}}{{(P{{O}_{4}})}_{2}}\) contains 52 total atoms?...
Explain how 4Ca3(PO4)2 contains 52 total atoms?
Solution
Calcium phosphate belongs to a family of minerals and materials consisting calcium ions along with inorganic phosphate anions. Some so-called calcium phosphates consist of oxides and hydroxide as well. They are white coloured solids of great nutritious value.
Complete answer:
Calcium phosphate is a calcium salt of phosphoric acid whose chemical formula is written as Ca3(PO4)2. It is also called Calcium phosphate tribasic or Tricalcium Phosphate. Apatite is an impure and complex form of calcium phosphate from which calcium phosphate is produced which is also a mineral rock.
This ionic compound is formed in the presence of water so this compound dissolves readily in water. The combination of +2 and -3 ion charges suggests that this will be an insoluble compound so the solid state is used.
Calcium phosphates are found in many living organisms, like , in bone mineral and tooth enamel. In milk, it exists in a colloidal form in micelles bound to casein protein along with magnesium, zinc, and citrate - which is together termed as colloidal calcium phosphate (CCP).
Now One unit of calcium phosphate consists of 3 calcium atoms and 2 units of phosphate ions.
So it consists of 2 phosphorus atoms and 8 oxygen atoms .
So one unit of calcium phosphate contains total 13 atoms
So 4 units of calcium phosphate contains 4×13=52 atoms.
Note:
Calcium phosphate has a huge role in medical fields. Calcium phosphate may be used to treat diseases caused due to low calcium levels for example bone loss (osteoporosis), weak bones (osteomalacia/rickets), decreased activity of the parathyroid gland (hypoparathyroidism), and a certain muscle disease (latent tetany).