H3PO4 (aq) → 3 H+ (aq) + PO43- (aq)
The three H+ ions produced by the dissociation of H3PO4 can each donate a proton to a water molecule, forming three H3O+ ions (hydronium ions). Thus, the overall dissociation of H3PO4 in water can be represented as follows:
H3PO4 (aq) + 3 H2O (l) → 3 H3O+ (aq) + PO43- (aq)