Question

23. When slightly warm phosphorus is taken in the jar of oxygen, what happens?
a) Phosphorus Dioxide(PO2) is produced
b) phosphorus monoxide (PO) is produced
c) An oxidation reaction takes place
d) None of these
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Answer 1

Answer:

Oxygen is a (-2) valance, it wants two electrons to complete its shell.

Phosphorus is (-3), or (+5) valence in special case.

Since the Oxygen is negative valance, for a reaction must create one of the Phosphorus special structures.

The (-2) and (-3) will not react in normal circumstances.

The (-2) and (+5) is not a perfect match (odd and even) so the result will likely has one unbonded electron.

The positioning is such that Oxygen can take double bonds, so . . .

In this case, you would think you get PO3 where the Oxygen has an open receiving bonding position (+5 + (-2) * 3 = +5 + (-6) = (-1) valance.

However, what you get instead is (+5) with only 1 of each Oxygen (3x) to complete the 8 valance (5+1+1+1). Then each oxygen has (-1) left so you have 3 x (-1) = (-3) valance with three open positions.

There are also variations where the Oxygen is double bond or single bond to the Phosphorus. That changes the available valance.

In any case, the remaining structure will fit into other structures/atoms for a larger molecule. P and O would need a very strange 3D structure to get 2N Phosphorus and 5N Oxygen in 3D as just a P & O stable molecule. P4O10 I cannot get to work in 3D because odd/even and Oxygen 104.5 degree bonding angle.

Explanation:

$answer \: is \: option \: (c)$

$mark \: me \: brainlest$