Question

In ${\text{P}}_4{\text{O}}_{10}$, the number of oxygen atoms attached to each phosphorus atom is:
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

Answer 1

Hint: ${\text{P}}_4{\text{O}}_{10}$ is a molecular formula of pentoxide which consists of 4 molecules of phosphorus and 10 molecules of oxygen. The phosphorus can make a maximum of 5 bonds with other molecules whereas oxygen can make a maximum of 2 bonds with other molecules.

Complete Answer:
-To count the number of bonds between oxygen and phosphorus we first have to draw the structure of phosphorus pentoxide.
-The structure is given below:

-As we can see in the structure of phosphorus pentoxide there are a total 4 oxygens which are highlighted by blue colour and make double bonds only with a single phosphorus atom.
-The double-bonded oxygen has a hybridisation of $\text{s}{\text{p}}^2$
-Whereas 6 oxygen atoms are attached to the two phosphorus atoms each with a single bond in which the hybridisation of oxygen atom is $\text{s}{\text{p}}^3$.
So, option C. is the correct answer.
-The structure of phosphorus pentoxide forms a hexagonal lattice and is held together by the Vander Waal forces.
-The structure consists of at least four polymorphs.
Note: The preparation of phosphorus pentoxide is done when tetraphosphorus reacts with oxygen molecules: ${\text{P}}_4\text{ + 5}{\text{O}}_2\to {\text{P}}_4{\text{O}}_{10}$. The compound is used as a dehydrating agent and is white in appearance. The name of the compound is named so because it is the empirical formula of ${\text{P}}_4{\text{O}}_5$.