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Nitrogen exists as gas (N2) in nature. Nitrogen gas is very unreactive due to the presence of strong triple bonds and has a complete octet for both atoms. N2 is commonly used in food packaging (the gas in potato chips) because of this property.Phosphorus, on the other hand, exists as solid (P4) in nature. P4 has bonds with unstable angle strains compared to that of N2. As a proof of this reactivity, P4 burns quickly.

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Nitrogen is less reactive than phosphorus because nitrogen has a full valence shell with 5 electrons, making it more stable and less likely to form bonds. In contrast, phosphorus has 5 valence electrons and can readily gain or lose electrons to achieve a more stable electron configuration, leading to greater reactivity.

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Q: Why is nitrogen less reactive than phosphorus?
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Is phosphorus a very reactive non-metal?

Yes, phosphorus is a non-metal that exhibits high reactivity, especially in its white phosphorus form. White phosphorus can spontaneously ignite in air due to its extreme reactivity with oxygen.


Which is more reactive Phosphorus or sulfur?

Phosphorus is more reactive than sulfur due to its higher electronegativity and smaller atomic size, which allows it to readily form bonds with other elements. Phosphorus reacts vigorously with oxygen and water, whereas sulfur is less reactive and requires more energy to form compounds.


What is more reactive than phosphorus?

Fluorine is more reactive than phosphorus. It is the most reactive non-metal element due to its high electronegativity and small atomic size.


Why is the phosphorus cycle slower than the nitrogen cycle?

The phosphorus cycle is slower than the nitrogen cycle because phosphorus is released into the environment primarily through the weathering of rocks, which is a slow process. In contrast, nitrogen is converted into usable forms by bacteria through nitrogen fixation at a faster rate, leading to a quicker turnover in the nitrogen cycle.


Why gaseous n is less reactive than gaseos f?

Nitrogen (N2) is less reactive than fluorine (F2) because the triple bond in diatomic nitrogen requires much more energy to break than the single bond in diatomic fluorine. This means that there is a much greater energy requirement to dissociate two nitrogen atoms from each other than two fluorine atoms, making nitrogen far less reactive than fluorine.

Related questions

Why does the reactivity of nitrogen differ from phosphorus?

The difference in reactivity between nitrogen and phosphorus is largely due to their atomic size and electronegativity. Nitrogen is smaller in size and more electronegative than phosphorus, making it more stable and less reactive. Phosphorus, on the other hand, is larger and less electronegative, which makes it more prone to participating in chemical reactions.


Is sulfur more reactive than phosphorus?

Sulfur is less reactive than phosphorus. Phosphorus is more likely to form compounds with other elements due to its higher reactivity.


Is chlorine more or less reactive than phosphorous?

Chlorine is more reactive than phosphorus. Chlorine is a highly reactive nonmetal that readily forms compounds with other elements, while phosphorus is less reactive and forms compounds mostly with metals.


Is phosphorus is reactive non metal?

Yes, very reactive, more than silicon, nitrogen and sulfur (neighbours in Periodic Table. But it is not the most reactive nonmetal, which is fluorine.


Why N2 is less reactive than P4?

Nitrogen gas (N2) is less reactive than phosphorus (P4) because N-N bonds in N2 are very stable due to the triple bond between the nitrogen atoms, making it difficult to break the bond. In contrast, P4 contains weaker P-P bonds, which are more easily broken, leading to higher reactivity. Additionally, nitrogen is more electronegative than phosphorus, further stabilizing the N-N bond.


Is phosphorus a very reactive non-metal?

Yes, phosphorus is a non-metal that exhibits high reactivity, especially in its white phosphorus form. White phosphorus can spontaneously ignite in air due to its extreme reactivity with oxygen.


Is phosphorus or oxygen more reactive?

Oxygen is more reactive than phosphorus because it readily reacts with a wide range of elements and compounds to form oxides. Phosphorus, on the other hand, is less reactive and typically requires higher temperatures or specific conditions to undergo reaction.


Why is nitrogen less reactive than oxygen in terms of bonding?

Nitrogen is less reactive than oxygen because nitrogen has a full valence shell of electrons when it forms stable molecules, such as N2, due to its triple bond. Oxygen, on the other hand, typically forms less stable double bonds or single bonds with other elements, which makes it more reactive.


Which is more reactive Phosphorus or sulfur?

Phosphorus is more reactive than sulfur due to its higher electronegativity and smaller atomic size, which allows it to readily form bonds with other elements. Phosphorus reacts vigorously with oxygen and water, whereas sulfur is less reactive and requires more energy to form compounds.


What is more reactive than phosphorus?

Fluorine is more reactive than phosphorus. It is the most reactive non-metal element due to its high electronegativity and small atomic size.


Why is gaseous nitrogen less reactive than gaseous fluorine?

Gaseous nitrogen is less reactive than gaseous fluorine because nitrogen forms very strong triple bonds between its atoms, which are difficult to break. In contrast, fluorine is highly reactive due to its high electronegativity and tendency to gain an electron to achieve a stable electron configuration.


Is phosphorus electronegative?

Yes, phosphorus is electronegative. It is a nonmetal element located in the nitrogen group of the periodic table. However, phosphorus is less electronegative than elements like oxygen and fluorine.