Does phosphorus have ionic or covalent bonds?

Answer 1

Hello Phosphorous is an element. Its atomic number is 15. This means it has 15 protons in its nucleus. Also it has neutrons in its nucleus. Its number will be 16. This phosphorous is some how a stable isotope. Apart from this we have two isotopes due to change in number of neutrons. They are P30 and P32

Also it has 15 electrons. 2 in K shell, 8 in L shell. The remaining 5 electrons have to be in M shell. So principal quantum number is 3. So it has three azimuthal quantum numbers. They are 0,1,2.

Out of 5, two electrons are seated in 3s2, the remaining 3 will be in p orbitals.

So with these 3 electrons in the outermost shell it will be able to form bonds with other elements. But with its own phosphorous atom it has to form a kind of bond. It has to be thought in a logical way. Hope you would follow this way and get the required answer.

Answer 2

Phosphorus can form both ionic and covalent bonds. In its elemental form, phosphorus usually forms covalent bonds. When combined with more electronegative elements like oxygen, phosphorus can also form ionic bonds.