Both white phosphorus and red phosphorus are made up only of phosphorus atoms. Does this mean they are both pure substances? Could they be compounds?

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Azul Casey

Chemistry

20 June, 21:26

Both white phosphorus and red phosphorus are made up only of phosphorus atoms. Does this mean they are both pure substances? Could they be compounds?

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Romeo Hanna · Answer 1

True, both of the red and white phosphorus is a pure substance.

Both red and white phosphorus is made of phosphor element but they have a different structure which causes them to have a different color. This phenomenon called allotropes when a chemical element has two or more different form. They are not compounds as they are only made of phosphorus. A compound should be made by at least two different elements.