Phosphorus is one of those nonmetals that rarely exist as ions. It takes a lot of energy for phosphorus to lose or gain electrons to form ions. It rather shares electrons in covalent bonding.
However, it is not impossible to find phosphorus ions. It has five valence electrons and must accept three more to complete its orbit. Phosphorus may also lose the five valence electrons to attain the octet structure of the nearest noble gas. Although this rarely happens.
What then is the charge of phosphorus? What is the value of the charge of phosphorus?
Properties of phosphorus
- Phosphorus is a nonmetal from group 15 (5A) and period 3
- It has an atomic number of 15, mass number of 30.97, and electronic configuration of [Ne] 3S23P3
- Phosphorus occurs as white, red, violet, and black allotropes. The white, red, and violet allotropes are waxy while the black allotrope has a metallic appearance
- Phosphorus is a solid at STP with a boiling point of 536.9°F(280.5°C) and a melting point of 111.5°F(44.15°C)
- All four allotropes of phosphorus have different densities at room temperature. White phosphorus has a density of 1.823 g/cm3, the red allotrope has a density of ≈2.2–2.34 g/cm3, the violet has a density of 2.36 g/cm3 and the black form has a density of 2.69 g/cm3
- Additionally, phosphorus exhibits more than one oxidation state which is as follows -3, −2, −1, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4, +5
What is the charge of phosphorus?
Phosphorus in its neutral form carries no charge. It has five electrons in its outermost shell and it must accept three electrons to complete its orbit.
If a phosphorus atom accepts three electrons, it will become P3-. However, phosphorus does not readily form ionic compounds. Instead, it participates in electron sharing in covalent compounds.
What is the charge on a phosphate group?
Phosphate groups are anions with a negative charge of -3, -2, or -1. The phosphate groups are PO43-, H2PO4-, and HPO42-.
What is the charge of phosphorus in phosphorus trichloride?
Phosphorus carries a positive charge of +3 in PCl3. Each chlorine atom has a -1 charge which gives a total of -3 for the three chlorine atoms.
P + 3(-1) = 0
0 = P – 3
P = +3
What is the charge of the phosphates in the soil?
Phosphorus is present in the soil in the form of two phosphates, H2PO4- and HPO42-. The charges on these phosphates are -1 and -2 respectively.
FAQs
Can phosphorus form cations?
No. Phosphorus is a nonmetal and cannot form cations. Only metals form cations by losing electrons.
What is the valency of phosphorus?
Phosphorus exhibits two valencies, 3 & 5. It has 5 valence electrons in its outermost shell. To attain the octet structure, it will either lose the five electrons or gain three electrons.
However, gaining or losing electrons is an energy-consuming process for phosphorus. This is why it rather forms covalent molecules with other nonmetals. In covalent bonds, it shares electrons with other atoms.
Does phosphorus exist in a gaseous state?
Phosphorus exists as a solid at room temperature. But, it also exists as a gas when it is in the diphosphorus (P2) form.
Conclusion
Phosphorus rarely exists as an ion by itself. It is always in covalent bond sharing with other nonmetals. Nonetheless, it may exhibit a -3, -2, -1, or +3 charge, depending on how it reacts with other elements.
The -3 charge and other negative charges are the most common phosphorus charge.
Thanks for reading.
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