Two common forms of phosphorus are red and white. Red phosphorus is fairly stable at room temperature in air, but white phosphorus can ignite easily when exposed to air. Is this difference in properties due to the existence of different isotopes of phosphorus or different allotropes? Explain.

Respuesta :

Answer:

I believe it to be a difference in isotopes.

Explanation:

This is because since both are the same element it cannot be allotropes which are on a molecular level so it must be isotopes.

fichoh

Isotopy defines a property of chemical elements whereby atoms of the same element have the same proton number but different mass number. Allotropy describes the arrangement of atoms in an element causing each form of the element to have different chemical properties. Hence, the difference in properties is due to the existence of different allotropes of phosphorus.

The type of bonding which defines atoms of the same element defines the stability of the element which is a property called allotrophy. Hence, the difference in the property of red and white phosphorus is due to different allotropes of phosphorus.

Since different isotopes of an element usually have the same atomic number and number of electrons, they usually exhibit similar physical and chemical properties.

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