The number of pentagons in $\mathrm{C}_{60}$ and trigons (triangles) in white phosphorus, respectively, are:

JEE Main · 2019 · 10 Apr 2019 · Shift 2 · p-Block Elements

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✓ Correct
(D)20 and 3

Answer: (C)

Solution

Buckminsterfullerene

C X_{60}

is built like a football from

12

pentagons and

20

hexagons, so it contains

12

pentagons. White phosphorus is a

P X_{4}

tetrahedron, whose four triangular faces give

4

trigons. The two counts are therefore

12

and

4

JEE Main · 2019 · 10 Apr 2019 · Shift 2 · Single correct option

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