Question #a0d91

1 Answer
Gaya3
Oct 6, 2017

1

Explanation:

Since there is one oxygen atom attached to P, the total valency of P would be #=#

Number of oxygen atoms #times# valency of oxygen
#=1times2=2#

Valency of oxygen is 2.

Therefore, valency of each Phosphorus atom #=2/2=1#, which is not possible as Phosphorus can only have a valency of either 3, or 5.

Therefore, there is no such compounds as #"P_2O"#.

In case you're referring to either of these,

  1. #P_2O_5 #
    total valency of two atoms of P is #5 × 2 = 10#
    Valency of each atom P in #P_2O_5# is #10/2 = 5#

  2. # ​P_2O_3#
    The total valency of 2 P atoms #= 3 x 2 = 6#
    Valency of each of the P atom in # ​P_2O_3 = 6/2 = 3#

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