Phosphorus vs. Phosphate

Main Difference

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

Difference Between Phosphorus and Phosphate

Comparison Chart

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 PO₄^3-, HPO₄^2- 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.

Conclusion

The above discussion concludes that phosphorus is an essential component for all living organisms, but it is not found as a pure element in nature because it is found as the main component in the bodies of other animals. The phosphate is considered an anion of oxygen and phosphorus atoms. The basic difference between them is that phosphorus is an element, while phosphate is an anion.