Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry / Difference Between Orthophosphoric Acid and Phosphoric Acid

Difference Between Orthophosphoric Acid and Phosphoric Acid

May 25, 2018 Posted by Madhu

The name phosphoric acid is the IUPAC name of orthophosphoric acid. The prefix –ortho is used to distinguish this acid from other phosphorous containing acids (polyphosphoric acids). There is no difference between orthophosphoric acid and phosphoric acid because both these names describe the same compound.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Orthophosphoric Acid
3. What is Phosphoric Acid
4. Orthophosphoric Acid vs Phosphoric Acid
5. Summary

What is Orthophosphoric Acid?

Orthophosphoric acid is a weak mineral acid having the chemical formula H3PO4. It is a non-toxic acid. Furthermore, it is an important phosphorous-containing compound from which the dihydrogen phosphate ion (H2PO4–) derives. Therefore, is a very important ion for plants because it is the major source of phosphorous.

Difference Between Orthophosphoric Acid and Phosphoric Acid

Figure 01: The Chemical Structure of Orthophosphoric Acid

Some chemical facts about this acid are as follows:

  • Chemical formula = H3PO4
  • Molar mass = 97.99 g/mol
  • Melting point =35 °C (anhydrous form)
  • Boiling point = 158 °C
  • Appearance = a white solid, deliquescent
  • Odor = odorless

Orthophosphoric acid production has two pathways such as wet process and thermal process. The wet process uses fluoroapetite (phosphate rock) for the production of this acid along with concentrated sulfuric acid. The chemical reaction is as follows:

Ca5(PO4)3F    +     5H2SO4     +    10H2O          →3H3PO4   +     5CaSO4.2H2O    +    HF

In the thermal process, liquid phosphorous (P4) and air undergo a chemical reaction inside a furnace at 1800-3000 K. Firstly, a machine sprays the phosphorus liquid into the furnace chamber. There the phosphorous burns in the air reacting with oxygen (O2). The product from this step reacts with water in a hydration tower to produce the acid.

P4(l)+       5O2(g)→2P2O5(g)

P2O5(g)+    3H2O(l)→2H3PO4(aq)

The major application of this acid is in the production of phosphorous-containing fertilizers. There are three forms of phosphate salts which are used as fertilizers.

  1. Triple superphosphate (TSP)
  2. Diamonium hydrogenphosphate (DAP)
  3. Monoammonium dihydrogenphosphate (MAP).

What is Phosphoric Acid?

Phosphoric acid is the IUPAC name of orthophosphoric acid.

Difference Between Orthophosphoric Acid and Phosphoric Acid

  • There is no difference between orthophosphoric acid and phosphoric acid because both names describe the same chemical compound having the chemical formulaH3PO4.

Summary – Orthophosphoric Acid vs Phosphoric Acid

There is no difference between orthophosphoric acid and phosphoric acid because both these names describe the same compound. The term phosphoric acid is the IUPAC name of orthophosphoric acid.

Reference:

1. Lazonby, John. “Phosphoric Acid.” The Essential Chemical Industry Online. Available here 
2. “Phosphoric Acid.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available here 

Image Courtesy:

1.’Phosphoric-acid-2D’ (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

Difference Between Tetrahedral and Octahedral VoidsDifference Between Tetrahedral and Octahedral Voids Difference Between Sodium Chlorite and Sodium HypochloriteDifference Between Sodium Chlorite and Sodium Hypochlorite Difference Between Formula Unit Mass and Molecular MassDifference Between Formula Unit Mass and Molecular Mass Key Difference Between Adhesive and Cohesive ForcesDifference Between Adhesive and Cohesive Forces Difference Between Resonance and TautomerismDifference Between Resonance and Tautomerism

Filed Under: Inorganic Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between HTC Sensation 4G and Samsung Galaxy S 4G

Difference Between Arabs and Jews

Difference Between Democracy and Monarchy

Difference Between Democracy and Monarchy

Difference Between Anorexia and Anorexia Nervosa

Difference Between Anorexia and Anorexia Nervosa

Difference Between Rodents and Lagomorphs

Difference Between Rodents and Lagomorphs

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Omphalocele and Gastroschisis
  • What is the Difference Between Autonomic and Somatic Reflexes
  • What is the Difference Between Plagiocephaly and Craniosynostosis
  • What is the Difference Between Coconut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil
  • What is the Difference Between Wintrobe and Westergren Tube
  • What is the Difference Between Coarctation and Hypoplastic Aortic Arch
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.