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Question

Why is phosphorus written as P4?


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Solution

Phosphorus

  • Phosphorus is a chemical element with atomic number 15 and its atomic symbol is P.
  • White phosphorus and red phosphorus are the two primary forms of elemental phosphorus.

Phosphorus written as P4

  • Phosphorus is unable to form pi bonds due to its large atomic size.
  • It is tetratomic, with each p atom joined by a sigma bond to the other three P atoms.
  • It can form a tetra-atomic P4 molecule to complete its octet by sharing valency electrons with three additional Phosphorus atoms.

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