Question

The true statement for the acids of phosphorus, $H_{3}P{O}_2,H_{3}P{O}_3$ and $H_{3}P{O}_4$ is :

• A. the order of their acidity is $H_{3}P{O}_2>H_{3}P{O}_3>H_{3}P{O}_4$
• B. all of them are reducing in nature
• C. all of them are tribasic acids
• D. the geometry of phosphorus is tetrahedral in all the three

Answer 1

The correct option is D the geometry of phosphorus is tetrahedral in all the three

$H_{3}P{O}_2,H_{3}P{O}_3$ and $H_{3}P{O}_4$ are monobasic, dibasic and tribasic acids. The order of their acidity increases as the number of $O$ increases.

The geometry of phosphorous is tetrahedral in all three. Phosphorous acid is reducing agent, Phosphoric acid has less oxidation property as $+5$ oxidation state of phosphorus is more stable than $+3$.