Atoms in `P_4` molecule of white phosphorus are arranged regularly in the followinf way :

Options

A. At the corners of a cube
B. At the corners of an octahedron
C. At the corners of a tetrahedron
D. At the centre and corners of a tetrahedron.

Answer

To answer the question regarding the arrangement of atoms in the \( P_4 \) molecule of white phosphorus, we need to analyze the structure of the molecule.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Molecular Structure of \( P_4 \)**:
- The \( P_4 \) molecule consists of four phosphorus atoms.
- These atoms are arranged in a specific geometric shape.

2. **Identifying the Geometry**:
- The structure of \( P_4 \) is tetrahedral.
- In a tetrahedral arrangement, the four phosphorus atoms are positioned at the vertices of a tetrahedron.

3. **Visualizing the Arrangement**:
- Each phosphorus atom in \( P_4 \) is bonded to three other phosphorus atoms.
- The angles between the bonds are approximately \( 109.5^\circ \), characteristic of tetrahedral geometry.

4. **Considering the Options**:
- The options provided are:
1. At the corners of the cube
2. At the corners of the octahedron
3. At the corners of the tetrahedron
4. At the center and the corners of a peptide
- Since we established that \( P_4 \) has a tetrahedral structure, the correct option is **"at the corners of the tetrahedron."**

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the arrangement of atoms in the \( P_4 \) molecule of white phosphorus is at the corners of a tetrahedron.