Answer to Question #175251 in General Chemistry for Shallock Okwero

Question

Shirel burns 10 mg of phosphorus in the presence of 1.5 mg of oxygen gas in a closed beaker. This reaction produces diphosphorus pentoxide. What is the correct chemical formula for the chemical produced in the reaction?

Answer 1

Phosphorus reacts with oxygen, usually forming two oxides depending on the amount available oxygen: P4O6 when reacted with a limited supply of oxygen, and P​4O10 when reacted with excess oxygen; the latter is shown below. On rare occasions, P​4O7, P​4O8, and P​4O9 are also formed, but in small amounts.