P2O5, also known as phosphorus pentoxide, is a covalent compound. This means that the bonds between the phosphorus (P) and oxygen (O) atoms are formed by sharing electrons, rather than transferring electrons as in ionic bonds.
Phosphorus pentoxide is composed of molecules where each phosphorus atom is covalently bonded to five oxygen atoms. The structure of P2O5 can be visualized as two phosphorus atoms connected by a double bond, with each phosphorus atom also bonded to three oxygen atoms. This arrangement results in a stable, covalent network.
In summary, P2O5 is a covalent compound due to the shared electrons between phosphorus and oxygen atoms, forming a stable molecular structure.