̥̊Topic

̥̊̊ Chemistry of Phosphorus and Its Compounds

Question Serial No 178

Question Type Single correct answer

Subtopic Allotropic forms of Phosphorus- Preparation, Properties, Uses

Instructions Choose the correct option.

Question Text A tetratomic molecule, which is Y, reacts with X to form P 4O10 along with a colourless
inert gas, nitrogen. It is also known that X is a sweet-scented gas, which is commonly
called laughing gas. The product of the reaction of Y with concentrated nitric acid is:
Options A Phosphoric acid

B Phosphonic acid

C Phosphorus acid

D Metaphosphoric acid

Answer A

Solution Laughing gas is the common name for dinitrogen oxide. This indicates that the
sweet-smelling gas (X) is N2O. The reaction of N2O with Y produces an oxide of
phosphorus P4O10 along with nitrogen gas. This infers that the tetratomic molecule is
P4.

The reaction can be written as follows:

P 4 +N2 O→ P4 O10+ N2

Consequently, X is N2O and Y is P4.

Concentrated nitric acid is a strong oxidising agent that oxidises non–metals and
their compounds. I is oxidised to iodic acid, C to carbon dioxide, S to sulphuric acid
and P4 to phosphoric acid. The reaction of concentrated nitric acid with phosphorus
(P4) is given below:
[ O]
P 4 +20HNO3 → 4 H3 PO 4 +20 NO 2+ 4 H 2 O
Thus, the final product is phosphoric acid, that is H 3PO4.

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Exams CBSE , CUET

Taxonomy Applying

Difficulty Level Difficult