Question

Nitrogen exists as gas while phosphorus exist as solid.

Answer 1

Answer:

Nitrogen is a gas because it is simple diatomic molecule with triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms. Due to its small size and non polar nature, intermolecular forces are absent and it is gas in nature.

Phosphorous is found in different allotrpic forms as white, red and black phosphorus. In all of these structures a phosphorus atom is attached with more than two phosphorus atoms (4 in white and polymeric structures in red and black). Due to this extensive bonding phosphorus is found in solid state.