How Do You Spell METAPHOSPHORIC ACID?

1. Metaphosphoric acid is a chemical compound with the molecular formula (HPO3)n, where n represents the number of repeating phosphoric acid units. It is an inorganic oxyacid derived from the polymerization of phosphoric acid molecules. Also known as polyphosphoric acid, it is a white, crystalline solid with a glass-like appearance.

   Metaphosphoric acid is highly hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the air. It is soluble in water, alcohol, and ether, and exhibits both acidic and dehydrating properties. It is commonly used in various industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and analytical chemistry.

   In the food industry, metaphosphoric acid is used as a preservative and acidulant, primarily in beverages and canned foods. Its acidic nature helps in preventing microbial growth and spoilage. It is also used in food analysis to precipitate proteins and as a reagent in preparing extracts for analysis of different components.

   In pharmaceuticals, metaphosphoric acid is utilized in drug formulation and stability testing. It helps in stabilizing pharmaceutical preparations and acts as a buffering agent to maintain the desired pH.

   In analytical chemistry, metaphosphoric acid is used as a reagent for protein precipitation and DNA extraction. It aids in the separation and purification of biological molecules for further analysis.

   Overall, metaphosphoric acid is a versatile chemical compound with diverse applications in various industries, contributing significantly to food preservation, pharmaceutical stability, and analytical procedures.

2. See phosphoric acid.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for METAPHOSPHORIC ACID

The word "metaphosphoric acid" exemplifies the naming convention common in the field of chemistry, particularly for inorganic acids.

The term "acid" comes from the Latin word "acidus", meaning sour, which refers to the taste of certain acidic substances. In chemistry, an acid is a compound that typically reacts with metals to form salts, turns litmus paper red, and has a pH less than 7.

"Metaphosphoric" can be broken down into two parts: "meta-" and "phosphoric".

The prefix "meta-" originated from the Greek word "meta", meaning "beyond" or "after". In scientific terms, "meta-" typically denotes the next or modified stage of a particular compound or concept.

The term "phosphoric" derives from "phosphorus", which comes from the Greek word "phosphoros", meaning "light-bringer".