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Question

Nitrogen exists as diatomic molecule and phosphorus as P4. Why?

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Solution

Nitrogen has small atomic size. Two nitrogen atoms can be linked to each other by three covalent bonds to form :NN:.
The octet of both N atoms is complete. P has large atomic size and little tendency to form triple bonds. It can complete its octet by sharing valency electrons with three other P atoms to form tetra-atomic P4 molecule.

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