Nitrogen forms N 2 , but phosphorus is converted into P 4 from P, the reason is

Step-by-step solution

Nitrogen form N 2 (i.e. N ≡ N ) but phosphorus form P 4 , because in P 2 , p π − p π bonding is present which is a weaker bonding. Nitrogen is smaller in size hence it forms multiple bond with other nitrogen atom ( N ≡ N ) Nitrogen has unique ability to form p π − p π multiple bonds with itself and with other elements having small size and high electron negativity. However heavier elements of this group do not form p π − p π bonds as their atomic orbitals are so large and diffuse that they cannot have effective ove