Asked by Chantal Shanty on May 12, 2024
Verified
After drawing the Lewis structure for phosphine, PH3, which should be structurally similar to ammonia, what shape should the molecule have?
A) A tetrahedron
B) A triangular pyramid
C) A square plane
D) A square pyramid
Phosphine
A toxic, flammable gas composed of phosphorus and hydrogen, used as an insecticide and in various industrial processes.
Lewis Structure
Diagrams that show the bonding between atoms of a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist in the molecule.
- Comprehend the fundamental molecular configurations and how they are formed.
Verified Answer
SS
sadhiya shameenMay 13, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
Phosphine (PH3) has a similar structure to ammonia (NH3), with a central phosphorus atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one lone pair of electrons. This arrangement leads to a trigonal pyramidal shape, not a perfect tetrahedron, because the lone pair affects the geometry, making it slightly different from a tetrahedral arrangement.
Learning Objectives
- Comprehend the fundamental molecular configurations and how they are formed.