Question

Write balanced chemical equations for the following:
(a) Reaction of white phosphorus with chlorine
(b) Reaction of orthophosphoric acid on heating

Hint:

White phosphorus is highly reactive. Heating phosphoric acid leads to condensation forming pyrophosphoric acid.

Answer 1

(a) Reaction of white phosphorus with chlorine: \[ P_4 + 6Cl_2 \rightarrow 4PCl_3 \] (b) Heating orthophosphoric acid: \[ 2H_3PO_4 \xrightarrow{\Delta} H_4P_2O_7 + H_2O \] Final Answer: \[ \boxed{ \begin{aligned} &\text{(a) } P_4 + 6Cl_2 \rightarrow 4PCl_3 \\ &\text{(b) } 2H_3PO_4 \rightarrow H_4P_2O_7 + H_2O \end{aligned} } \]