Question

The number of pentagons in ${{C}_{60}}$ and trigons (triangles) in white phosphorus, respectively, are:
a.) 12 and 3
b.) 20 and 4
c.) 12 and 4
d.) 20 and 3

Answer 1

. White phosphorus is a waxy solid which burns easily and it is generally used for the chemical manufacturing of smoke munitions. Exposure to the white phosphorus may cause burns, kidney diseases, liver infection etc.

Complete step by step answer:
Buckminsterfullerene is a type of fullerene having the formula of${{C}_{60}}$, each carbon atom in ${{C}_{60}}$ is $s{{p}^{3}}$hybridized. Buckminsterfullerene is an allotrope of carbon consisting of carbon atoms with so many double and single bonds the first fullerene discovered was${{C}_{60}}$.${{C}_{60}}$ which has a spherical shape.. In Buckminsterfullerene:
The total number of pentagons is = 12
And the total number of hexagons = 20
For white phosphorus,
The number of triangle in white phosphorus = 4
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Additional Information:
White phosphorus is the least stable allotrope. It is the most reactive, most volatile and most toxic allotrope. After the passage of time the white phosphorus transits to the red phosphorus. Light and heat are used in the process and the sample used also contains some red phosphorus hence it looks black. The white phosphorus which is aged or impure is often called yellow phosphorus. When exposed to oxygen, white phosphorus glows in the dark with a very subtle tingle of blue and green color. In contact with air white phosphorus is highly flammable.

Note: The white phosphorus is generally kept under water because it easily catches fire in the normal air and produces dense fumes which is very harmful. It is kept in water because it is insoluble in water and also it does not react with water.