Allotropes Of Phosphorus
White phosphorus is stored under water because:
Select the correct option:
🔒 Solution Hidden from View
Submit your answer to unlock the detailed step-by-step solution.
More p-block elements Practice Questions
Why is white phosphorus far more reactive and toxic than red phosphorus despite both being allotrope...
Why is white phosphorus far more reactive and toxic than red phosphorus despite both being allotrope...
Chlorine acts as a bleaching agent for cotton and paper; on what chemical principle does its bleachi...
Chlorine acts as a bleaching agent for cotton and paper; on what chemical principle does its bleachi...
Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas; on what basis does it exert its toxic effect on the human...
Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas; on what basis does it exert its toxic effect on the human...
Silicones are synthetic polymers with a repeating silicon-oxygen backbone; which property makes them...
Silicones are synthetic polymers with a repeating silicon-oxygen backbone; which property makes them...
Why does the stability of the +5 oxidation state decrease while that of the +3 state increases down ...
Why does the stability of the +5 oxidation state decrease while that of the +3 state increases down ...
Interhalogen compounds such as ClF_3 are generally more reactive than the individual halogens; what ...
Interhalogen compounds such as ClF_3 are generally more reactive than the individual halogens; what ...
Nitrogen exists as a diatomic gas with a very high bond dissociation enthalpy; what structural featu...
Nitrogen exists as a diatomic gas with a very high bond dissociation enthalpy; what structural featu...
In the structure of diborane, what unusual type of bonding holds the two boron atoms together throug...
In the structure of diborane, what unusual type of bonding holds the two boron atoms together throug...
Ozone acts as a powerful oxidising agent and readily decomposes to oxygen; what makes it thermodynam...
Ozone acts as a powerful oxidising agent and readily decomposes to oxygen; what makes it thermodynam...
Carbon shows a far greater tendency for catenation than silicon and the heavier members of Group 14;...
Carbon shows a far greater tendency for catenation than silicon and the heavier members of Group 14;...
In the industrial Haber process for manufacturing ammonia, which set of conditions favours a high yi...
In the industrial Haber process for manufacturing ammonia, which set of conditions favours a high yi...
Among the hydrogen halides HF, HCl, HBr, and HI, which is the strongest acid in aqueous solution and...
Among the hydrogen halides HF, HCl, HBr, and HI, which is the strongest acid in aqueous solution and...
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.
Looking for more practice? Explore all chemistry questions or browse p-block elements questions on RankGuru.