In `P_(4)O_(6) and P_(4)O_(10)`, the number of oxygen atoms bonded to each phosphorus atoms are reppectively-

Options

A. 3 and 3
B. 4 and 4
C. 3 and 4
D. 4 and 3

Answer

To solve the problem of determining the number of oxygen atoms bonded to each phosphorus atom in \( P_4O_6 \) and \( P_4O_{10} \), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the molecular formulas
- We have two compounds: \( P_4O_6 \) and \( P_4O_{10} \).
- Each compound contains 4 phosphorus (P) atoms and a different number of oxygen (O) atoms.

### Step 2: Draw the structure of \( P_4O_6 \)
- In \( P_4O_6 \), there are 4 phosphorus atoms and 6 oxygen atoms.
- The structure can be visualized as a tetrahedral arrangement of phosphorus atoms with oxygen atoms bridging between them.

### Step 3: Count the oxygen atoms bonded to each phosphorus in \( P_4O_6 \)
- Each phosphorus atom in \( P_4O_6 \) is bonded to 3 oxygen atoms.
- Therefore, for \( P_4O_6 \), the number of oxygen atoms bonded to each phosphorus atom is **3**.

### Step 4: Draw the structure of \( P_4O_{10} \)
- In \( P_4O_{10} \), there are 4 phosphorus atoms and 10 oxygen atoms.
- The structure is more complex and can be visualized as a cage-like structure with double bonds to oxygen.

### Step 5: Count the oxygen atoms bonded to each phosphorus in \( P_4O_{10} \)
- Each phosphorus atom in \( P_4O_{10} \) is bonded to 4 oxygen atoms.
- Therefore, for \( P_4O_{10} \), the number of oxygen atoms bonded to each phosphorus atom is **4**.

### Step 6: Summarize the results
- For \( P_4O_6 \): Each phosphorus atom is bonded to **3** oxygen atoms.
- For \( P_4O_{10} \): Each phosphorus atom is bonded to **4** oxygen atoms.

### Final Answer:
The number of oxygen atoms bonded to each phosphorus atom in \( P_4O_6 \) and \( P_4O_{10} \) are **3 and 4**, respectively.

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