`P_(4) O_(10)` has_________ bridging O atoms.

Options

A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 2

Answer

To determine the number of bridging oxygen atoms in the molecule \( P_4O_{10} \), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Structure of \( P_4O_{10} \)
The molecular structure of \( P_4O_{10} \) consists of phosphorus (P) and oxygen (O) atoms. In this compound, the phosphorus atoms are connected by oxygen atoms, which are referred to as bridging oxygen atoms.

**Hint:** Remember that bridging oxygen atoms are those that connect two phosphorus atoms.

### Step 2: Draw the Structure
To visualize the molecule, we can draw the structure. The general structure of \( P_4O_{10} \) can be represented as follows:

1. Start with four phosphorus atoms arranged in a tetrahedral or cyclic manner.
2. Connect these phosphorus atoms with oxygen atoms.
3. Each phosphorus atom typically has one double-bonded oxygen atom (P=O) and two bridging oxygen atoms (O-P-O).

**Hint:** Drawing the structure helps in identifying the connections between the phosphorus atoms.

### Step 3: Identify the Bridging Oxygen Atoms
In the structure, we need to count the number of oxygen atoms that are bridging between two phosphorus atoms.

1. Each bridging oxygen atom forms a bond with two phosphorus atoms.
2. In \( P_4O_{10} \), there are six bridging oxygen atoms that connect the phosphorus atoms.

**Hint:** Count each oxygen atom that connects two phosphorus atoms as one bridging oxygen.

### Step 4: Conclusion
After analyzing the structure and counting the bridging oxygen atoms, we conclude that \( P_4O_{10} \) has **six bridging oxygen atoms**.

**Final Answer:** \( P_4O_{10} \) has **6 bridging oxygen atoms**.