1. Tardigrade
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  3. Chemistry
  4. Statement 1: White phosphorus is more reactive than red phosphorus. Statement 2: red phosphorus consists of P 4 tetrahedral units linked to one another to form linear chains.

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Q. Statement 1: White phosphorus is more reactive than red phosphorus.
Statement 2: red phosphorus consists of $P _4$ tetrahedral units linked to one another to form linear chains.

The p-Block Elements

Solution:

White $P$ exists as discrete $P _4$ tetrahedral molecule having P-P-P bound angle $60^{\circ}$. Hence, molecule is under strain and more reactive while red $P$ exits as $P _4$ tetrahedral joined together through covalent bounds giving polymeric structure.