The percentage of p-character in the orbitals forming `p-p` bonds in `P_4` is

Options

A. `25`
B. `33`
C. `50`
D. `75`

Explanation

To determine the percentage of p-character in the orbitals forming p-p bonds in \( P_4 \), we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Structure of \( P_4 \)**:
- \( P_4 \) (white phosphorus) has a tetrahedral structure where each phosphorus atom is bonded to three other phosphorus atoms.

2. **Determine the Valence Electrons**:
- Phosphorus has 5 valence electrons. In \( P_4 \), each phosphorus atom forms bonds with three other phosphorus atoms, using three of its valence electrons.

3. **Identify Lone Pairs**:
- After forming three bonds, each phosphorus atom will have one lone pair of electrons remaining.

4. **Calculate the Steric Number**:
- The steric number is calculated as the sum of the number of bond pairs and lone pairs. Here, each phosphorus atom has:
- Bond pairs = 3 (from the three bonds)
- Lone pairs = 1
- Therefore, the steric number = 3 (bond pairs) + 1 (lone pair) = 4.

5. **Determine the Hybridization**:
- A steric number of 4 corresponds to \( sp^3 \) hybridization.

6. **Calculate the Percentage of p-character**:
- In \( sp^3 \) hybridization, there is 1 s orbital and 3 p orbitals involved.
- The percentage of p-character can be calculated using the formula:
\[ \text{Percentage of p-character} = \left( \frac{\text{Number of p orbitals}}{\text{Total number of orbitals}} \right) \times 100 \]
- Here, the number of p orbitals = 3, and the total number of orbitals = 4 (1 s + 3 p).
- Thus, the calculation is:
\[ \text{Percentage of p-character} = \left( \frac{3}{4} \right) \times 100 = 75\% \]

7. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the percentage of p-character in the orbitals forming p-p bonds in \( P_4 \) is **75%**.