White phosphorus: P₄ tetrahedron (White phosphorus is P₄ tetrahedron with 60° bond angles: highly strained and reactive.)
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White phosphorus is P₄ tetrahedron with 60° bond angles — highly strained and reactive.
What each symbol means
| Symbol | What it stands for |
|---|---|
| P₄ | Tetraatomic phosphorus molecule |
When to use this
Strain makes white P very reactive; stored under water; red phosphorus is polymeric and less reactive.