Textbook Problem Fundamentals J #9(b)

[Alyssa Ly 2G]

Hello!

"Identify the salt that is produced from the acid–base neutralization reaction between (a) potassium hydroxide and acetic acid, (b) ammonia and phosphoric acid; (c) calcium hydroxide and bromous acid; (d) sodium hydroxide and hydrosulfuric acid, (both atoms react). Write the complete ionic equation for each reaction."

For PART(b) of this problem, the answer key says that in the reactant side of the ionic equation, H3PO4 is separated into 3H+ and PO4^3-. However, I thought since phosphoric acid is a weak acid, it doesn't get separated when writing the ionic equation. Can someone explain to me how they did this problem?

Thank you so much!

[amar_151]

I believe that the only reason the answer key shows these ions as separated rather than bonded is because the question asks for the ionic equation which is used to show the different ions that are present in the equation. The only atoms that are bonded together in these problems are H+ and OH- to show the movement of the protons.