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Nitrogen form N2, but when phosphorous f...

Nitrogen form `N_2`, but when phosphorous form `P_2`, it's at a time convert in `P_4`, reason is : -

A

(a) Triple bond present between phosphorous atom

B

(b) `ppi-ppi` bonding is weak

C

(c) `ppi-ppi` bonding is strong

D

(d) Multiple bond form easily

Text Solution

AI Generated Solution

The correct Answer is:
To solve the question regarding the formation of nitrogen and phosphorus molecules, we need to analyze the bonding characteristics of both elements. ### Step-by-Step Solution: 1. **Understanding Nitrogen Bonding**: - Nitrogen exists primarily as a diatomic molecule, \(N_2\), which features a triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms. This triple bond consists of one sigma bond and two pi bonds. - The small atomic size of nitrogen allows for effective overlap of p-orbitals, resulting in strong p-pi-p-pi bonding. 2. **Understanding Phosphorus Bonding**: - Phosphorus can exist in several allotropes, but the most common forms are \(P_2\) and \(P_4\). When phosphorus attempts to form \(P_2\), it quickly converts to \(P_4\). - In \(P_4\), each phosphorus atom forms three sigma bonds with three other phosphorus atoms, creating a tetrahedral structure. 3. **Comparison of Atomic Sizes**: - Nitrogen has a smaller atomic radius compared to phosphorus. This smaller size facilitates the formation of multiple bonds (like the triple bond in \(N_2\)). - Conversely, phosphorus, being larger, struggles to form multiple bonds due to the increased distance between the nuclei, which weakens the bonding interactions. 4. **Bonding Strength**: - The p-pi-p-pi bonding in nitrogen is strong due to effective orbital overlap. - In phosphorus, however, the p-pi-p-pi bonding is weak because of the larger atomic size, which leads to less effective overlap of p-orbitals. 5. **Conclusion**: - Therefore, phosphorus prefers to form \(P_4\) with single bonds rather than existing as \(P_2\) with multiple bonds. The weak p-pi-p-pi bonding in phosphorus is the reason for this preference. ### Final Answer: The correct reason for why nitrogen forms \(N_2\) while phosphorus forms \(P_4\) is that **p-pi-p-pi bonding is weak in phosphorus**.
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