because it has three protons
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Phosphoric acid is called a triprotic acid because it can donate three protons (H⁺ ions) when it is dissolved in water, leading to three dissociation steps and three corresponding Ka values.
Phosphoric acid is a triprotic acid, meaning it can donate three protons (H+ ions). Therefore, it shows three levels of basicity.
Phosphoric acid has three dissociable protons, making it triprotic. Therefore, its basicity is 3.
Triprotic acids are acids that can donate three protons (hydrogen ions) in a solution. Examples include phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and citric acid (H3C6H5O7).
3H3PO4 represents 3 molecules of phosphoric acid, H3PO4. This compound is a triprotic acid, meaning it can donate three protons in solution.
Phosphoric acid is considered to be a weak acid, although it is stronger than acetic acid. It can donate up to three protons in solution, making it a triprotic acid. It is commonly used in food and beverage production.