Question:
Phosphorus has three allotropic forms —
(i) white phosphorus
(ii) red phosphorus and
(iii) black phosphorus.
Write the difference between white and red phosphorus on the basis of their structure and reactivity.
Solution:
1. White phosphorus
(i) It is soft waxy solid having garlic order
(ii) It is poisonous
(iii) Has low melting point and boiling point because P4 molecules are held together by weak van der Waal forces of attraction
2. Red Phosphorus
(i) It is hard, crystalline, odourless solid
(ii) It is non-poisonous
(iii) It has a high melting point because of its polymeric structure.