Does the subscript "3" of hydrogen in H3PO4 and H3BO3 result in additional ions in solution? Explain.

Answer 1

To a small extent, yes. For instance, H3PO4 (phosphoric acid) is a weak acid, and dissociates slightly into H+ and PO4(3-) ions. The subscript 3 means that there are three H+ ions for each molecule of H3PO4 that dissociates, so this does result in additional ions in solution. However, most molecules of H3PO4 do not dissociate (this is what is meant by a weak acid), so the effect is small. By contrast, H2SO4 is a strong acid, so nearly all molecules dissociate into two H+ ions and one SO4(2-) ion in solution; whereas HCL dissociates into one H+ ion and one Cl- ion. So one mole of HCL produces two moles of ions in solution, but one mole of H2SO4 produces three moles of ions in solution. So comparing strong acids makes this effect much more noticeable.

Answer 2

Subscript 3

Answer 3

Yes, when bases ionize, they break apart. H3PO4 would break into H2PO4(-) and H(+), creating addtional ions floating around. The base continues to break down by losing H's.

Answer 4

IT means there are 3 hydrogen parts/atoms in the comppunds.
Check their valences to see if that compund is correct