(a)What happens when white phosphorus is heated with concentrated `NaOH` solution in an inert atmosphere of `CO_(2)`?
(b)Draw the structure of white phosphorus and red phosphorus. Which one of these two types of phosphorus, is more reactive and why ?

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

**(a)** When white phosphorus (P₄) is heated with concentrated sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution in an inert atmosphere of carbon dioxide (CO₂), a chemical reaction occurs that produces phosphine (PH₃) and sodium hypophosphite (NaH₂PO₂). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

\[ P_4 + 3 \text{NaOH} + 3 \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow 3 \text{PH}_3 + 3 \text{NaH}_2\text{PO}_2 \]

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