Nitrogen exists as diatomic molecule and phosphorus as `P_4`. Why?

Explanation

To understand why nitrogen exists as a diatomic molecule (N₂) while phosphorus exists as a tetrahedral molecule (P₄), we can break down the explanation into several key points:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Atomic Size**:
- Nitrogen (N) is smaller in atomic size compared to phosphorus (P). The smaller size of nitrogen allows for effective overlap of atomic orbitals, which is essential for bond formation.
- Phosphorus, being larger, has a more significant distance between its outer electrons, which affects its bonding capabilities.

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