PHOSPHORIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Phosphoric acid is a clear, colorless, odorless, and highly corrosive liquid compound with the chemical formula H3PO4. It is a strong mineral acid, commonly found in many soft drinks, fertilizers, detergents, and food products.
The primary source of phosphoric acid is the extraction from phosphate rock, which undergoes a series of chemical reactions, including reaction with sulfuric acid, to produce the final compound. It is widely used in various industries due to its acidic properties and ability to react with other substances.
Phosphoric acid is a triprotic acid, meaning it can donate three hydrogen ions (H+) in solution. It is categorized as a weak acid, as it partially dissociates in water. The dissociation results in the formation of phosphate ions (H2PO4-, HPO42-, and PO43-), which confer its acidity.
In addition to its applications in the production of food and beverages, phosphoric acid is used in the manufacture of detergents, water treatment, as a pH adjuster in cosmetics and personal care products, as well as in the production of phosphate fertilizers. It also finds application in the pharmaceutical industry for its acidic and stabilizing properties.
Although phosphoric acid is widely used, it is crucial to handle it with care due to its corrosive nature. It can cause severe burns if in direct contact with the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. When handling phosphoric acid, proper personal protective equipment, such as gloves and goggles, should be worn to ensure safety.
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Acidum phosphoricum; H3PO4, an acid obtained usually from bones or by the oxidation of phosphorus. There are several forms of phosphoric acid; the ordinary form is also called orthophosphoric acid, to distinguish it from metaphosphoric monobasic or glacial phosphoric acid, HPO3, a Vitreous solid soluble in water, and pyrophosphoric acid, 2H2O.P2O5; anhydrous phosphoric acid, P2O5, obtained by the complete combustion of phosphorus, is a light deliquescent powder soluble in water; see also acidum phosphoricum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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An acid containing one equivalent of phosphorus and five of oxygen.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for PHOSPHORIC ACID
- ohosphoric acid
- lhosphoric acid
- -hosphoric acid
- 0hosphoric acid
- pgosphoric acid
- pbosphoric acid
- pnosphoric acid
- pjosphoric acid
- puosphoric acid
- pyosphoric acid
- phisphoric acid
- phksphoric acid
- phlsphoric acid
- phpsphoric acid
- ph0sphoric acid
- ph9sphoric acid
- phoaphoric acid
- phozphoric acid
- phoxphoric acid
Etymology of PHOSPHORIC ACID
The word "phosphoric" is derived from the element phosphorus, which in turn comes from the Greek word "phosphoros" meaning "light-bringer" or "light-bearing". The element phosphorus was named by German alchemist Hennig Brand in 1669, who discovered it while boiling urine and observed that it emitted a glowing light.
"Acid" is derived from the Latin word "acidus", meaning "sour". It was originally used to refer to substances with a sour taste.
Therefore, the word "phosphoric acid" combines the name of the element phosphorus and the term "acid" to describe the specific compound made up of phosphorus, hydrogen, and oxygen, which has a sour taste.
Similar spelling words for PHOSPHORIC ACID
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