Question

What are the properties and uses of nitrogen and phosphorus?

Answer 1

Hint: As we know that both nitrogen and phosphorus are the elements of group-15 that is the pnictogen group. Since they belong to the same group of the periodic table, they may share some similar properties as well, like the number of electrons in the valence shell of both the elements are 5.

Complete answer:
Let us discuss about nitrogen and phosphorus as follows:-
-Nitrogen: It is the seventh element of the modern periodic table and is quite abundant in our nature. It belongs to group 15 and its elemental form is ${{N}_{2}}$ gas. Its electronic configuration is $[He]2{{s}^{2}}2{{p}^{3}}$ which shows that it has 5 electrons in its valence shell and its most common oxidation state is -3
-Properties of nitrogen:-
It mainly exists in gaseous state at room temperature and it is colourless.
Its atomic number is 7 and relative atomic mass is 14.007.
It is mainly found in nitrate and nitrite compounds of soil and water.
-Uses of nitrogen:-
The elemental form of nitrogen is used in manufacture of ammonia and also to produce nitric acid.
Liquid nitrogen is preferred as a refrigerant in order to transport foodstuff and other freezing purposes.
It is also used as preservatives in snack packets.
-Phosphorus: It is the fifteenth element of the modern periodic table and mainly exists as red, white and black phosphorus. It belongs to group 15 and its elemental form is ${{P}_{4}}$ gas. Its electronic configuration is $[Ne]3{{s}^{2}}3{{p}^{3}}$ which shows that it has 5 electrons in its valence shell just like nitrogen and its most common oxidation state are -3, +5.
-Properties of phosphorus:-
It is extremely reactive in nature.
It is an element which is not found in a free state under any circumstance.
-Its atomic number is 15 and relative atomic mass is 30.974.
-Uses of phosphorus:-
It is mainly used in fertilizers, fireworks and baking powder as well.
It also has a vital role in the manufacturing of steel.
Phosphate compounds are mainly used to make chinawares and glasses.

Note:
-Phosphorus can show+5 oxidation state whereas nitrogen cannot because phosphorus has empty d-orbitals in its shells whereas nitrogen does not due to which it can’t unpaired the electrons to show bonding and +5 oxidation state.
-Also remember the properties and uses of various elements in the periodic table for solving these types of questions.