Question

Why does the reactivity of nitrogen differ from phosphorus?

Answer 1

Nitrogen is chemically less reactive. This is because of the high stability of its molecule, N₂. In N₂, the two nitrogen atoms form a triple bond. This triple bond has very high bond strength, which is very difficult to break. It is because of nitrogen’s small size that it is able to form pπ−pπ bonds with itself. This property is not exhibited by atoms such as phosphorus. Thus, phosphorus is more reactive than nitrogen.

Answer 2

N₂ exist as a diatomic molecule containing triple bond.batoeen two N-atoms. Due to the presence —of triple bond betweep the two N-atoms, the bond dissociation energy is large (941 .4 kJ mol^-1 ). As aresult of this N₂ is inert and unreactive whereas, phosphorus exists as a tetratomic molecule, containg P – P single bond. Due to the presence of single bond, the bond dissociation energy is weaker (213 kJmol^-1 ) than N a N triple bond (941 .4 kJ mol^-1 ) and moreover due to presence of angular strain in P₄ tetrahedra. As a result of this, phosphorus is much more reactive than nitrogen.