What is the chemical difference in PO43- and P?

Answer 1

P is the symbol for Phosphorous. Phosphorous can be found on the Periodic Table, which means it's an atom of an element. Only atoms of elements are shown on the periodic table, which means that every single thing on it is neutral.

PO43- is Phosphate; the ion for the atom phosphorous. It contains 4 oxygen atoms and one phosphorous atom. It's charge is 3- because it is in group 5;this means it has 3 empty spaces for electrons to fill, and hence needs another 3 electrons before it can become a neutral atom again.

So the main chemical difference is that one is an atom with a neutral charge, while the other is an ion with a 3- charge.

Answer 2

The chemical difference between PO43- and P is that PO43- is an anion, meaning it carries a negative charge of -3, while P is the element phosphorus on its own. PO43- represents a phosphate ion, which is formed when phosphorus combines with four oxygen atoms, hence the -3 charge.