Phosphorus vs. Phosphate
The main difference between Phosphorus and Phosphate is that Phosphorus is considered an element, whereas Phosphate is considered an anion.

Key Differences
The oxidation degree in which phosphorus exhibits is -3, +3, or +5; on the flip side, phosphate exhibits a degree of oxidation of -3.
The phosphorus has the symbol of P; on the contrary, the symbol for phosphate is PO4.
Phosphorus has a molar mass of 30.97 g/mol; on the contrary, the phosphate contains the molar mass of about 94.97 g/mol.
The multi-valiant nonmetal chemical element of the group VA in a periodic table is phosphorus; on the other hand, the chemical derivative of the phosphoric acid which contains the phosphate ion, and any salt of the phosphorus oxoacid is a phosphate.
The white phosphorus which is the type of phosphorus contains the P4 molecules, and the red phosphorus which contains a crystal atomic lattice; on the other hand, as the phosphate has a polyatomic ion with having a tetrahedral arrangement of the certain atoms, contains one phosphorus atom in its center and four oxygen atoms which are surrounding it.
Comparison Chart
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Phosphorus is known as a multi-valent nonmetal chemical element of the VA group in the periodic group.
Phosphate is known as the chemical derivative of phosphoric acid, which contains the phosphate ion.
Introduction
An element in the periodic table
An anion which is made up of oxygen, and Phosphorus atoms
Composition
Formed of only phosphorus atoms
Made up of phosphorus and oxygen atoms
Different Types
It can be found as red phosphorus, white phosphorus, and black phosphorus
Normally found as orthophosphates, pyrophosphates, polyphosphates, and tripolyphosphates
Molar Mass
30g/mol is the molar mass of phosphorus elements
95g/mol is the molar mass of phosphate anion
Oxidation Degree
The oxidation degree of phosphorus is -3, +3, or +5
The oxidation degree of phosphate is -3
Structure
Produces many simple substances, and the most widely distributed are white phosphorus which consists of P4 molecules which usually contains a crystal atomic lattice
Considered a polyatomic ion having a tetrahedral arrangement of the atoms and it contains one phosphorus atom which is located in the center and surrounded by four oxygen atoms
Chemical Symbol
The chemical symbol is P
The chemical symbol ion is PO4
Formed From
The raw element which is found in several allotropic forms
Phosphate is the oxoanion of phosphorus which attaches with the metal cations to produce salts which are known as phosphates
Phosphorus and Phosphate Definitions
Phosphorus
Symbol P A highly reactive, poisonous, nonmetallic element occurring naturally in phosphates, especially apatite, and existing in three allotropic forms, white (or sometimes yellow), red, and black (or violet). An essential element for biological cells, it is used in safety matches, pyrotechnics, incendiary shells, and fertilizers and to protect metal surfaces from corrosion. Atomic number 15; atomic weight 30.9738; melting point (white) 44.15°C; boiling point 280.5°C; specific gravity (white) 1.82, (red) 2.16, (black) 2.25 to 2.69; valence 3, 4, 5. See Periodic Table.
Phosphate
A salt, ester, or anion of phosphoric acid, derived by removal or replacement of one, two, or especially all three of the hydrogens of phosphoric acid.
Phosphorus
A phosphorescent substance.
Phosphate
A fertilizer containing phosphorus compounds.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus(Astronomy) See Lucifer.
Phosphate
A soda fountain drink made by blending carbonated water with flavored syrup.
Phosphorus
(chemistry) a chemical element (symbol P) with an atomic number of 15, that exists in several allotropic forms.
Phosphate
(chemistry) Any salt or ester of phosphoric acid.
Phosphorus
(obsolete) any substance exhibiting phosphorescence; a phosphor
Phosphate
(agriculture) Any fertiliser containing phosphate compounds.
Phosphorus
The morning star; Phosphor.
Phosphate
Guano (containing high levels of phosphates and harvested for the fertiliser industry).
Phosphorus
A poisonous nonmetallic element of the nitrogen group, obtained as a white, or yellowish, translucent waxy substance, having a characteristic disagreeable smell; this waxy allotropic form is also called yellow phosphorus, to distinguish it from another allotropic form, red phosphorus. It is very active chemically, must be preserved under water, and unites with oxygen even at ordinary temperatures, giving a faint glow, - whence its name. It always occurs combined, usually in phosphates, as in the mineral apatite, in bones, etc. It is used in the composition on the tips of friction matches, and for many other purposes. The molecule contains four atoms. Symbol P. Atomic weight 31.0.
Phosphate
A carbonated soft drink containing phosphoric acid, often flavored with a fruit-based syrup.
Phosphorus
Hence, any substance which shines in the dark like phosphorus, as certain phosphorescent bodies.
Phosphate
To treat or coat with a phosphate or with phosphoric acid
Phosphorus
A multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms
Phosphate
A salt of phosphoric acid.
Phosphorus
A planet (usually Venus) seen just before sunrise in the eastern sky
Phosphate
A salt of phosphoric acid
Phosphate
Carbonated drink with fruit syrup and a little phosphoric acid
Phosphorus vs. Phosphate
Phosphorus is an element in the periodic table; on the other hand, phosphate is an anion which is made up of oxygen and phosphorus atoms. The phosphorus is formed of only phosphorus atoms; on the contrary, the phosphate is made up of phosphorus and oxygen atoms.
In different types of phosphorus, it can be found as red phosphorus, white phosphorus, and black phosphorus; on the flip side, the phosphate is normally found as orthophosphates, pyrophosphates, polyphosphates, and tripolyphosphates. 30g/mol is considered the molar mass of phosphorus elements, whereas 95g/mol is the molar mass of phosphate anion.
The oxidation degree of phosphorus is -3, +3, or +5; on the other hand, the oxidation degree of phosphate is -3. Phosphorus produces many simple substances, and the most widely distributed are white phosphorus which consists of P4 molecules which usually contains a crystal atomic lattice; on the flip side, the phosphate ion is considered a polyatomic ion having a tetrahedral arrangement of the atoms, and it contains one phosphorus atom which is located in the center and surrounded by four oxygen atoms.
The chemical symbol of phosphorus is P; on the contrary, the chemical symbol of phosphate ion is PO4. Phosphorus is the raw element that is found in several allotropic forms, while phosphate is the oxoanion of phosphorus, which attaches with the metal cations to produce salts.
What is Phosphorus?
Phosphorus is a multi-valent element that is present in the VA group or p-block of the periodic table. Phosphorus has the characteristics of a nonmetal and is normally solid at room temperature. The phosphorus has the atomic number of 15, so the electronic configuration [Ne]3s2sp3.
The two main kinds of phosphorus are red phosphorus and white phosphorus. The white phosphorus contains P4 units that have tetrahedral structures, and normally, they are very reactive. The red phosphorus contains a polymeric structure, and one unit of red phosphorus is almost similar to the tetrahedral structure of white phosphorus.
Phosphorus is considered essential to all living organisms. The phosphorus is known as a major component of DNA and RNA. The phosphorus is also used in the transfer of energy mechanisms which are present inside the body in the form of ATP.
Besides all of this, the types of phosphorus, i.e., white phosphorus and red phosphorus are typically used in the industrial needs like in the formation of metal alloys, side coating of the matchboxes, etc. the phosphorus is highly reactive because it reacts with halogens, oxygen, sulfur, and various other metals. The phosphorus cannot be found as a free element on the Earth because of its high reactivity.
The atom of phosphorus consists of five valence electrons in its outermost shell. The phosphorus contains an oxidation degree of -3 when it reacts with metals and hydrogen, but when it reacts with more electronegative elements such as fluorine and oxygen, the oxidation degrees become +3 or +5.
What is Phosphate?
An anion which is typically made of phosphorus and oxygen s known as phosphate. The chemical symbol of phosphate is given as PO43. The tetrahedral structure is the molecular geometry of a phosphate.
Many compounds of phosphate are considered insoluble in water, but there are many phosphates such as alkali metals that are considered soluble in water because of the high reactivity of the metal atom. Though, the aqueous phosphates are present in three major groups like PO43-, HPO42- and H2PO4–.
As concern with their occurrence, they are mainly found as inorganic phosphates, which contains inorganic molecules. The naturally occurring found form of the phosphorus elements is phosphates, which are found in the form of rocks or ores.
The phosphates are mainly used to support the growth of plants; that’s why the phosphates are used as fertilizers. The fertilizers are known as “phosphate fertilizers.” The phosphates are very often used in the formation of special glasses.
The phosphate is known as a polyatomic ion having a tetrahedral arrangement of its atoms. The phosphate contains one phosphorus atom, which is present in the center and mainly surrounded by four oxygen atoms. The phosphate ion contains a molar mass of about 94.97 g/mol.
The phosphate is usually divided into four groups by depending on the number of phosphorus atoms: pyrophosphates, tripolyphosphates, orthophosphates, and polyphosphates. Each of the types contains its particular functional properties.