Question

Bone ash contains:
(A) $Ca{{F}_{2}}$
(B) $CaS{{O}_{4}}$
(C) $C{{a}_{3}}{{(P{{O}_{4}})}_{2}}$
(D) $Ca{{({{H}_{2}}P{{O}_{4}})}_{2}}$

Answer 1

Hint: Bone ash contains calcium oxide and phosphorus pentoxide as their constituents. So, try to propose a general formula to this mixture which will be the answer.

Complete step by step solution:
- It is known to you that bone ash is a white material produced by the calcination of bones.
Bone ash is produced from animal bone which is first processed to remove any adhering meat which is generally sold as pet fat and is produced by calcination of bones.
- Calcination is defined as the process of heating to high temperatures in air or oxygen. It has been seen that most bones retain their cellular structure through calcination.
- Bone ash is not meant for direct human consumption- internal and external. Although, there is no harm to the body, it is not in a form that the body can absorb anything from it.
- A typical bone ash consists of calcium oxide, phosphorus pentoxide and water.
- The exact composition of these compounds varies depending upon the type of bones being generally used and also on the process used but generally the formula for bone ash is
$C{{a}_{3}}{{(P{{O}_{4}})}_{2}}$.

- It should be remembered to you that bone ash plays an important role in the creation of bone china, as the phosphate of the bone generates beta tricalcium phosphate, and other compounds from the bone create a calcium crystal which is known as Anorthite.
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note:
Nowadays, synthetic alternatives dicalcium phosphate and tricalcium phosphate are used as substitutes for bone ash. Note that there is a vast difference between ash and bone ash, such as ash contains only carbon while bone ash does not.