Question

An element ‘P’ has atomic number 56. What will be the formula of its halide?
(A) $PX$
(B) $P{{X}_{2}}$
(C) $P{{X}_{3}}$
(D) ${{P}_{2}}{{X}_{2}}$

Answer 1

Hint: The binary compounds with one part is an element and another part is the halogen atom are known as halides. A radical which is less electronegative compared to that of halogens forms bromide, chloride, iodide, and astatine. Most of the halides are salts. Various halides are compared to give a precipitate with silver nitrate.

Complete step by step answer:
The term halide ion is a negative charge of the halogen atom. Halide anion includes halide minerals. Fluorite and halite are halide minerals. Many halides are present in marine deposits. Few of the halide ions are fluoride, chloride, bromide, and iodide.
Given the element, ‘P’ atomic number is 56. Near the noble gas element, the atomic number is 54. To get a stable noble gas configuration element P should lose 2 electrons and become ${{P}^{+2}}$ an ion with 54 electrons
Halogen gains one electron to form ${{X}^{-}}$ an ion. So, ${{P}^{+2}}$ ion combines with two halide ions forms halides with $P{{X}_{2}}$ formula.
${{P}^{+2}}+2{{X}^{-}}\to P{{X}_{2}}$
Hence, the formula of halide $P{{X}_{2}}$ with element P atomic number 56.
The correct answer is option B.

Note: Halogens form organic halides of one or more halogens and belong to a class of synthetic and natural chemicals. Some examples include calcium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and iodoform. Few metals also form halides with halogens. Some are ionic and some halides are covalent.