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Give reasons for the following: Dinitrogen is a gas but phosphorus is a solid. |
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Answer» <P> Solution :Due to small size and high electronegativity, nitrogen froms `p pi- p pi ` bonds and exists as diatomic molecules. These molecules are held together by weak van der Waals forces and hence `N_2` exists as a gas at room TEMPERATURE. In contrast, due to LARGE size and lower electronegativity, P does not form `p pi- p pi ` bond with itself. Rather it prefers to form single P-P bonds and exists as a `P_4` molecule. Due to bigger size, attractions holding `P_4` molecules are quite strong. THUS P is a solid at room temperature. |
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