The arrangement of oxygen atoms around each phosphorous in `P_(4)O_(10)`

Options

A. Pyramidal
B. Octahedral
C. Tetrahedral
D. Square planar

Answer

To determine the arrangement of oxygen atoms around each phosphorus atom in \( P_4O_{10} \), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Structure of \( P_4O_{10} \)
The molecular formula \( P_4O_{10} \) indicates that there are four phosphorus atoms and ten oxygen atoms. The structure can be visualized as a molecule where phosphorus atoms are connected to oxygen atoms.

### Step 2: Draw the Structure
In \( P_4O_{10} \), each phosphorus atom is bonded to oxygen atoms. Some of these oxygen atoms are bridging (connecting two phosphorus atoms), while others are terminal (bonded to only one phosphorus atom).

### Step 3: Identify the Hybridization
To find the arrangement of oxygen atoms around each phosphorus atom, we need to determine the hybridization of the oxygen atoms:
- Each oxygen atom that is bonded to phosphorus will have lone pairs of electrons.
- The hybridization of these oxygen atoms can be determined to be \( sp^3 \) due to the presence of two lone pairs and two bonding pairs.

### Step 4: Determine the Geometry
For \( sp^3 \) hybridization, the geometry is tetrahedral. This means that the arrangement of the oxygen atoms around each phosphorus atom will be tetrahedral.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Thus, the arrangement of oxygen atoms around each phosphorus in \( P_4O_{10} \) is tetrahedral.

### Final Answer
The arrangement of oxygen atoms around each phosphorus in \( P_4O_{10} \) is **tetrahedral**.

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