[junbumkim]

How would you draw Na₃PO₄?
In total it has 24 electron...but I can't seem to figure out how Na would be attached to PO₄
Help please...

[lemonoman]

Na₃PO₄ might be better visualized as 3 Na⁺ ions with a PO₄^3- ion.

So draw a PO₄^3- ion's Lewis structure...then stick Na⁺ ions where you think they might want to go.

Hint: If you're trying to stick the Na atoms to P, that won't give you a valid structure.

[junbumkim]

thanks for the help.

so total valence electron would be 5+24+3 = 32 for PO₄^- ?

8 electonrs are used to from 4 bonds between P and O. It leaves 24 electrons..
Then three oxgens would equally share 24 electrons, having 6 electrons per one oxgen atom.

Then Na would attach to 3 oxgens. Is there any special notation that I have to put on to indicate the bond between oxgen and Na is ionic?