Home
Class 12
CHEMISTRY
Why is white phosphorus is more reactive...

Why is white phosphorus is more reactive than red phosphorus ?

Text Solution

Verified by Experts

In white phosphorus the P-P-P bond angle is `60^(@)` hence the bonds are in strain. As a result the bonds are broken easily. In red phosphorus the bond angle is `120^(@)`, hence it is stable and less reactive.
Promotional Banner

Topper's Solved these Questions

  • P-BLOCK ELEMENTS

    VIKRAM PUBLICATION ( ANDHRA PUBLICATION)|Exercise GROUP - 16 ELEMENTS (VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS)|37 Videos

  • P-BLOCK ELEMENTS

    VIKRAM PUBLICATION ( ANDHRA PUBLICATION)|Exercise GROUP - 17 ELEMENTS (VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS)|37 Videos

  • P-BLOCK ELEMENTS

    VIKRAM PUBLICATION ( ANDHRA PUBLICATION)|Exercise INTEXT QUESTIONS|30 Videos

  • ORGANIC COMPOUNDS CONTAINING NITROGEN

    VIKRAM PUBLICATION ( ANDHRA PUBLICATION)|Exercise DAM SURE (SAQ - 8 Marks)|15 Videos

  • POLYMERS

    VIKRAM PUBLICATION ( ANDHRA PUBLICATION)|Exercise INTEXT QUESTIONS|6 Videos

Similar Questions

Explore conceptually related problems

(A) White phosphorous is more reactive than Red P (R ) White phosphorous possesses high bond angle strain of 60^(@)

Why is ICl more reactive than I2?

White phosphorus is very reactive, but not the red one. Why?

Why is ICl more reactive than I_(2) ?

Why do we keep phosphorus in water?

How is alpha - black phosphorus prepared from red phosphorus ?

Write the difference between the properties of white phosphorus and red phosphorus.

VIKRAM PUBLICATION ( ANDHRA PUBLICATION)-P-BLOCK ELEMENTS -GROUP 15 ELEMENTS (VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS)
  1. Which oxide of nitrogen has oxidation number of N same as that in nitr...

    Text Solution

    |

  2. Write the chemical reactions that occur in the manufacture of nitric a...

    Text Solution

    |

  3. Iron becomes passive in conc. "HNO"(3) - Why ?

    Text Solution

    |

  4. Give the uses of a) nitric aicd and b) ammonia.

    Text Solution

    |

  5. What are the oxidation states of phosphorus in the following ? H(3)P...

    Text Solution

    |

  6. What are the oxidation states of phosphorus in the following ? "PCl"...

    Text Solution

    |

  7. What are the oxidation states of phosphorus in the following ? "Ca"(...

    Text Solution

    |

  8. What are the oxidation states of phosphorus in the following ? "Na"(...

    Text Solution

    |

  9. What are the oxidation states of phosphorus in the following ? "POF"...

    Text Solution

    |

  10. H(3)"PO"(3) is diprotic while H(3)"PO"(2) is monoprotic - Why ?

    Text Solution

    |

  11. Give the disproportionation reaction of H(3)PO(3).

    Text Solution

    |

  12. H(3)PO(2) is a good reducing agent - Explain with an example.

    Text Solution

    |

  13. Draw the structures of Hypo phosphoric acid

    Text Solution

    |

  14. Draw the structures of Cyclic meta phosphoric acid.

    Text Solution

    |

  15. Give an example of neutral oxide of nitrogen.

    Text Solution

    |

  16. Give the paramagnetic oxides of nitrogen.

    Text Solution

    |

  17. Why is white phosphorus is more reactive than red phosphorus ?

    Text Solution

    |

  18. Why does PCl(3) fume in moisture ?

    Text Solution

    |

  19. Explain the following reaction of alkali with red phosphrous.

    Text Solution

    |

  20. Explain the following reaction between PCl(3)" and "H(2)O.

    Text Solution

    |