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It occurs more slowly because phosphorus rarely occurs as a gas.

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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.

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10mo ago
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Nitrogen is more abundant on earth and mostly exists in gaseous state while Phosphorus is less abundant and exists in solid state only, so phosphorus cycle is slower.

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12y ago
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Q: Why is the phosphorus cycle slower than the nitrogen cycle?
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Continue Learning about Earth Science

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 has a larger radius arsenic or phosphorus?

Carbon has a larger atomic radius than nitrogen. The radii of these compounds are 67pm and 56pm, respectively. This occurs because the electrons in nitrogen are more attracted to the nucleus than electrons in carbon.


Why is nitrogen less reactive than phosphorus?

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.


Which bond is more polar a phosphorus fcholrine bond or a phosphorus fluorine bond?

A phosphorus-fluorine bond is more polar than a phosphorus-chlorine bond. Fluorine is more electronegative than chlorine, so it withdraws electrons more strongly in a covalent bond, resulting in a greater difference in electronegativity between phosphorus and fluorine compared to phosphorus and chlorine.


Does nitrogen dioxide diffuse faster than neon?

No, neon diffuses faster than nitrogen dioxide because neon is a smaller and lighter gas molecule, which allows it to move more quickly through a medium. Nitrogen dioxide is larger and heavier, resulting in slower diffusion rates.