Phosphoric acid \(\left(\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4}\right)\) is a triprotic acid, phosphorous acid \(\left(\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{3}\right)\) is a diprotic acid, and hypophosphorous acid \(\left(\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{2}\right)\) is a monoprotic acid. Explain this phenomenon.

The chemical formulas of the three acids are as follows: Phosphoric acid: \(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{PO}_{4}\) Phosphorous acid: \(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{PO}_{3}\) Hypophosphorous acid: \(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{PO}_{2}\) Each acid has a different number of oxygen atoms bound to the phosphorus atom (P) and a different number of hydrogen atoms bound to those oxygen atoms. It's important to note that not all hydrogen atoms in these acids can donate protons.

Phosphoric acid (\(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{PO}_{4}\)) has the structure H-O-P(OH)\(_2\). In this acid, all three hydrogen atoms are bound to oxygen atoms, and they can be ionized and donated as protons in the reaction. Phosphorous acid (\(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{PO}_{3}\)) has the structure H-O-P(OH)(OH)\(_2\). In this acid, there are two hydrogen atoms attached to oxygen atoms (OH groups) and can be donated as protons, while the third hydrogen atom is bound directly to the phosphorus atom, which makes it unreactive and not ionizable. Hypophosphorous acid (\(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{PO}_{2}\)) has the structure H-O-P(OH)\(_3\). In this acid, only one hydrogen atom is connected to an oxygen atom (OH group) and can be donated as a proton, while the other hydrogen atoms are bound directly to the phosphorus atom, meaning they are not ionizable.

Based on the number of ionizable hydrogen atoms in each acid, we can state: Phosphoric acid (\(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{PO}_{4}\)) is a triprotic acid because it can donate three protons (H+) in an acid-base reaction. Phosphorous acid (\(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{PO}_{3}\)) is a diprotic acid because it can donate two protons (H+) in an acid-base reaction. Hypophosphorous acid (\(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{PO}_{2}\)) is a monoprotic acid because it can donate one proton (H+) in an acid-base reaction. This phenomenon occurs due to the structural differences among these acids and the varying number of hydrogen atoms attached to oxygen atoms, leading to their unique abilities to donate protons in an acid-base reaction.