Question

Which is more reactive sulfur or phosphorus

Answer 1

Sulfur is more reactive than phosphorus.

• The atomic number of sulfur is 16 and its electronic configuration is as follows-
• ${1s}^{2} {2s}^{2} {2p}^{6} {3s}^{2} {3p}^{4}$
• Hence it contains 4 electrons in a 3p subshell and can easily react to complete its octet.
• The atomic number of phosphorus is 15 and its electronic configuration is as follows-
• ${1s}^{2} {2s}^{2} {2p}^{6} {3s}^{2} {3p}^{3}$
• Thus it is present in a stable state and does not react easily due to the presence of a half-filled 3p subshell.
• Thus Sulfur is more reactive than phosphorus.

Answer 2

Sulphur.

• The majority of RSSs are known to be volatile and reactive. The fact that the sulphur atom (S) may take or give electrons and exists in a wide range of oxidation states between 2 and +6 reflects this, and it plays an important part in many biochemical and chemical biological processes.