Question

Phosphorus is a very _______ non- metal.

Answer 1

Hint: Phosphorus is non metal which is situated in the group VA of the p block elements in the periodic table. It has the atomic number 15. Phosphorus is a non metal which is found to be in two forms in nature and shows white and red appearance. It has the tendency to get oxidised easily in the atmosphere also tends to catch fire easily.

Complete step-by-step answer:: Phosphorus is considered to be a very reactive non metal. As it tends to get oxidised easily and even catches fire. The melting point of phosphorus is very low which is calculated around \[{{44}^{o}}C\]. Due to its low melting point it tends to catch fire easily in the atmospheric condition. The reactivity of phosphorus is high so it is stored in water for keeping it safe. The electronic configuration of phosphorus atom is \[1{{s}^{2}}2{{s}^{2}}2{{p}^{6}}3{{s}^{2}}3{{p}^{3}}\]. From its configuration we get to know that it contains 5 valence electrons in it. The phosphorus generally shows +3 and -3 as its oxidation state as by removing three electrons or by adding three electrons it can achieve the stable electronic configuration.

So the answer is reactive. Phosphorus is a very reactive non – metal.

Note:As it is a reactive non metal it is present as \[{{P}_{4}}\]in the natural form. Phosphorus is present in two forms that is red phosphorus and white phosphorus. Red phosphorus is more stable thermally than white phosphorus. White phosphorus is more reactive than the red phosphorus.