Nitrogen exists as diatomic molecule and...

Nitrogen exists as diatomic molecule and phosphorus as `P_(4)`. Why ?

Text Solution

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Nitrogen because of its small size and high electronegativity forms `ppi-ppi-` multiple bonds.Therefore, it exists as a diatomic molecule having a triple bond between the two `N`-atoms.Phosphorus, on the other hand, due to its larger size and lower electronegativity usually does not form `ppi-ppi` multiple bonds with itself.Instead it prefers to form `P-P` single bonds and hence it exists as tetrahedral `P_(4)` molecules.

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A diatomic molecules has

1 degree of freedom

3 degrees of freedom

5 degree of freedom

6 degrees of freedom

Assertion : Elemental nitrogen exist as a diatomic molecule and phospours as tetratomic molecule. Reason :Nitrogen does not have vacant d-orbital wheras phosphorus have vacant d-orbital.

If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.

If assertion is true but reason is false.

If assertion is false but reason is true.

White phosphorus (P_(4)) has

six P-P single bonds

four P-P single bonds

four lone pairs of electrons

P-P-P angle of `60^(@)`