Identify the reactants and products in the chemical equation: phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and strontium hydroxide (Sr(OH)2) are the reactants, while strontium phosphate (Sr3(PO4)2) and water (H2O) are the products.
Write the unbalanced chemical equation: H3PO4 + Sr(OH)2 → Sr3(PO4)2 + H2O.
Balance the equation by ensuring the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides. Start by balancing the strontium (Sr) atoms. Since there are 3 Sr atoms in Sr3(PO4)2, you need 3 Sr(OH)2 molecules.
Next, balance the phosphate (PO4) groups. There are 2 PO4 groups in Sr3(PO4)2, so you need 2 H3PO4 molecules.
Finally, balance the hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms. With 2 H3PO4 and 3 Sr(OH)2, you will produce 6 H2O molecules to balance the equation. The balanced equation is: 2H3PO4 + 3Sr(OH)2 → Sr3(PO4)2 + 6H2O.