Allotropes Of Phosphorus
White phosphorus is stored under water because:
Select the correct option:
Solution
It is highly reactive and can ignite in air
White phosphorus contains strained P4 tetrahedral molecules and is very reactive toward oxygen. It can undergo spontaneous oxidation and catch fire in air at relatively low temperature. Storing it under water prevents contact with atmospheric oxygen and avoids ignition.
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- p-block elements
- Topic
- allotropes of phosphorus
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
It is highly reactive and can ignite in air
White phosphorus contains strained P4 tetrahedral molecules and is very reactive toward oxygen. It can undergo spontaneous oxidation and catch fire in air at relatively low temperature. Storing it under water prevents contact with atmospheric oxygen and avoids ignition.
This easy difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter p-block elements, covering the topic of allotropes of phosphorus. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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