The compound magnesium phosphate has the chemical formula mg3(po4)2. in this compound, phosphorous and oxygen act together as one charged particle, which is connected to magnesium, the other charged particle. what does the 2 mean in the formula 5mg3(po4)2?

The 2 in the formula means that, there are 2 phosphate anions that forms the salt.

Explanation:

Magnesium phosphate is a ionic salt.

The formula indicates that 3 moles of Mg and 2 moles of anion phosphate are contained in 1 mol of compound.

3Mg²⁺ + 2PO₄⁻³  →  Mg₃(PO₄)₂

The phosphate anion comes from phosphoric acid and it is generated when the acid loses the 3 protons.

H₃PO₄  →  3H⁺  + PO₄⁻³

Phosphate has a negative charge of -3, so when it bond to magnesium, which has a charge of +2, there must be 3 magnesium and 2 phosphate to make a global charge +6 -6 in the ions