Question

The atomicity of phosphorus island the PPP bond angle in the molecule is Y. What are X and Y

• A. $X=4,Y={90}^o$
• B. $X=4,Y={60}^o$
• C. $X=3,Y={120}^o$
• D. $X=2,Y={180}^o$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

White phosphorus has the molecular formula ${\text{P}}_4$ both in solid and vapour state at moderate temperature. The four atoms present in the molecule are arranged at the comers of a tetrahedro so, the PPP bond angle is $\text{6}{\text{0}}^{\text{o}}.$ At higher temperature (above $\text{700}{}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ ), it dissociates to give diatomic molecules as: $P_4\rightleftharpoons 2P_2$ Structure of ${\text{P}}_{\text{4}}$