The number of `sigma` bonds in `P_(4)O_(10)` is

Options

A. 6
B. 16
C. 20
D. 7

Answer

To determine the number of sigma bonds in \( P_4O_{10} \), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the structure of \( P_4O_{10} \)
- \( P_4O_{10} \) consists of 4 phosphorus (P) atoms and 10 oxygen (O) atoms. The structure can be visualized as a tetrahedral arrangement of phosphorus atoms with oxygen atoms forming bonds with them.

**Hint:** Understanding the molecular structure is crucial for counting bonds.

### Step 2: Determine the hybridization of phosphorus
- Each phosphorus atom in \( P_4O_{10} \) is bonded to 4 oxygen atoms. Since each phosphorus atom forms 4 bonds and has no lone pairs, the hybridization is \( sp^3 \).

**Hint:** Hybridization helps in predicting the number of bonds formed by an atom.

### Step 3: Count the sigma bonds formed by phosphorus
- Each phosphorus atom forms 4 sigma bonds with oxygen atoms. Since there are 4 phosphorus atoms, the total number of sigma bonds contributed by phosphorus is:
\[ 4 \text{ (bonds per P)} \times 4 \text{ (P atoms)} = 16 \text{ sigma bonds} \]

**Hint:** Remember that each single bond is a sigma bond.

### Step 4: Consider the bonds formed by oxygen
- In \( P_4O_{10} \), the oxygen atoms can also form bonds with each other, but in this case, we are primarily interested in the sigma bonds formed between phosphorus and oxygen.

**Hint:** Focus on the primary bonds when counting sigma bonds.

### Step 5: Conclusion
- The total number of sigma bonds in \( P_4O_{10} \) is 16.

**Final Answer:** The number of sigma bonds in \( P_4O_{10} \) is **16**.