How to Convert Phosphate to Phosphoric Acid?

What acid directly converts phosphate to phosphoric acid?

(a) dilute sulphuric acid
(b) dilute acetic acid
(c) dilute nitric acid
(d) concentrated nitric acid

Answer:

The acid which directly converts phosphate to phosphoric acid is concentrated nitric acid.

Concentrated nitric acid directly converts phosphate to phosphoric acid. When phosphate reacts with concentrated nitric acid, it forms phosphoric acid. This reaction can be represented by the following equation: H3PO4 + HNO3 → H3PO4 + NO + H2O.

Therefore, the correct answer is (d) concentrated nitric acid. Phosphoric acid is the most important oxygen acid of phosphorus used to make phosphate salts and fertilizers.