orthophosphoric acid
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A specific inorganic acid: Orthophosphoric acid is a mineral (inorganic) acid with the chemical formula H₃PO₄. It is a clear, colorless, odorless, and non-volatile liquid or crystalline solid. It is the most common and important form of phosphoric acid.
Usage
- Orthophosphoric acid is primarily used as an industrial chemical.
- It is a key ingredient in the production of phosphate fertilizers, providing essential phosphorus for plant growth.
- It is used in the manufacturing of detergents and soaps as a pH adjuster and for its cleaning properties.
- It serves as a food additive (E338) for acidification and flavoring in beverages like colas.
- It is employed in laboratories and industries for rust removal, metal treatment, and as a chemical intermediate.
Examples
- Noun:
- The purity of the orthophosphoric acid is critical for this pharmaceutical process.
- Farmers rely on fertilizers produced from orthophosphoric acid to enrich the soil.
- The lab technician handled the diluted orthophosphoric acid with care.
Advanced Usage
- Technical Context: In chemistry, "orthophosphoric acid" specifically denotes the parent compound H₃PO₄, distinguishing it from other phosphoric acids like metaphosphoric or pyrophosphoric acids. It is a triprotic acid, meaning it can donate three protons (H⁺ ions).
- The titration curve shows the three distinct equivalence points characteristic of orthophosphoric acid.
Variants and Related Words
- Phosphoric Acid: Often used as a common name for orthophosphoric acid, though technically "phosphoric acid" can refer to a broader class of compounds.
- Phosphate (noun): A salt or ester of phosphoric acid, especially of orthophosphoric acid (e.g., calcium phosphate).
- Orthophosphate (noun): The anion (PO₄³⁻) or salt derived specifically from orthophosphoric acid.
Synonyms
- Phosphoric(V) acid: A systematic name used in chemical nomenclature.
- H₃PO₄: The chemical formula, used as a synonym in scientific contexts.
Related Phrases / Compounds
- Phosphate fertilizer: A major product derived from orthophosphoric acid.
- Food-grade phosphoric acid: Purified orthophosphoric acid suitable for use in food and beverages.
Noun
- an acid used in fertilizers and soaps: H3PO4