PLS HELP

In the balanced equation:

H3PO4(aq) + NH3(aq) ↔ X(aq) + NH4+(aq)

The particle represented by X(aq) is

A) H2PO4–(aq)

B) HPO42–(aq)

C) PO43–(aq)

D) H3PO4(aq)

The particle represented by X(aq) is  A) H₂PO₄⁻(aq)

Explanation:

According to the Brønsted-Lowry Theory, a base is a substance capable of accepting protons (H⁺) in solution. Conversely, a substance acts as an acid if it acts as a proton donor.

A proton transfer then occurs, requiring the presence of a proton donor (an acid) and a base that accepts them.

When an acid gives up a proton, it becomes an anion, generating a conjugate base. That is, a conjugate base is an ion or molecule resulting from the acid that loses the proton. Conversely, a conjugated acid is an ion or molecule resulting from the base that the proton gains.

In this NH₃ / NH₄⁺ pair that NH₄⁺ is the conjugate acid of the NH₃ base, the latter acting as a base since it accepts a proton. H₃PO₄ then acts as an acid, yielding a proton and generating the conjugate base H₂PO₄⁻.

So, the particle represented by X(aq) is  A) H₂PO₄⁻(aq)

the answer is b because, investigating whether another species of moth also drinks tears might be interesting, but it would not directly explain why this species of moth does.

to explain why this species of moth drinks tears, the scientist could ask: "what nutrients that moths need are in elephant tears? "

the scientist could experiment with moth repellent or oter ways to keep the moths away, but that would not answer his original question.