What is the correct formula for diphosphorus trioxide?

What is the correct formula for diphosphorus trioxide?

• A. P2O3
• B. P4O6
• C. P2O5
• D. P3O4

Answer: (A)

Diphosphorus trioxide is composed of two phosphorus (P) atoms and three oxygen (O) atoms. The prefix "di-" in diphosphorus indicates that there are two phosphorus atoms in the compound, while "tri-" in trioxide indicates that there are three oxygen atoms. In writing the chemical formula, the number of atoms of each element is reflected by the corresponding subscripts in the formula. Therefore, the correct formula is P2O3, which precisely matches the description based on the nomenclature used in the name. This confirms that the representation aligns with both the number of atoms indicated by the prefixes and the convention for naming molecular compounds. Other formulas do not accurately represent the composition indicated by the name. For example, P4O6 and P2O5 contain more phosphorus or oxygen than what is specified by the prefixes. P3O4 also does not match the required ratio of phosphorus to oxygen atoms as indicated by the name "diphosphorus trioxide."

Diphosphorus trioxide is composed of two phosphorus (P) atoms and three oxygen (O) atoms. The prefix "di-" in diphosphorus indicates that there are two phosphorus atoms in the compound, while "tri-" in trioxide indicates that there are three oxygen atoms.

In writing the chemical formula, the number of atoms of each element is reflected by the corresponding subscripts in the formula. Therefore, the correct formula is P2O3, which precisely matches the description based on the nomenclature used in the name. This confirms that the representation aligns with both the number of atoms indicated by the prefixes and the convention for naming molecular compounds.

Other formulas do not accurately represent the composition indicated by the name. For example, P4O6 and P2O5 contain more phosphorus or oxygen than what is specified by the prefixes. P3O4 also does not match the required ratio of phosphorus to oxygen atoms as indicated by the name "diphosphorus trioxide."