The number of oxygen atoms around Phosphorous in the dimer of `P_(2)O_(5)`

Options

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 6

Answer

To determine the number of oxygen atoms around phosphorus in the dimer of \( P_2O_5 \), which is \( P_4O_{10} \), we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Dimerization**:
- The dimer of \( P_2O_5 \) is \( P_4O_{10} \). This means that two molecules of \( P_2O_5 \) combine to form one molecule of \( P_4O_{10} \).

2. **Drawing the Structure of \( P_2O_5 \)**:
- The structure of \( P_2O_5 \) can be represented as having two phosphorus (P) atoms and five oxygen (O) atoms. Each phosphorus atom is bonded to three oxygen atoms and shares one oxygen atom with the other phosphorus atom.

3. **Drawing the Structure of \( P_4O_{10} \)**:
- In \( P_4O_{10} \), there are four phosphorus atoms and ten oxygen atoms. The structure can be visualized as each phosphorus atom being surrounded by oxygen atoms.

4. **Counting the Oxygen Atoms Around Each Phosphorus in \( P_4O_{10} \)**:
- For each phosphorus atom in \( P_4O_{10} \):
- Each phosphorus atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms.
- This can be visualized by looking at the arrangement of the oxygen atoms around each phosphorus atom in the structure.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, in the dimer \( P_4O_{10} \), each phosphorus atom is surrounded by **four oxygen atoms**.

### Final Answer:
The number of oxygen atoms around phosphorus in the dimer \( P_4O_{10} \) is **4**.

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