Question

Given the chemical formulas CH4, NH3, and H2O, predict the formula for phosphine, P?H?.

Answer 1

PH3. Phosphorus and Nitrogen are both in group 15, and are likely to act in similar ways. They both tend to form 3 covalent bonds, and since hydrogen forms only one bond, it would take three hydrogens to bond with one phosphorus.

Answer 2

Answer: The chemical formula of phosphine is
`PH_3`

Step-by-step explanation:

Covalent compound is defined as the compound which is formed by the sharing of electrons between the atoms forming a compound. These are usually formed when two non-metals react.

Phosphine is the chemical compound which is formed by the combination of phosphorus and hydrogen atoms.

Electronic configuration of phosphorus is
`1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^3`

Phosphorus has empty d-orbital in its shell. So, it can form 5 bonds. As, hydrogen has small size, it will form only 3 bonds with phosphorus.

Hence, the chemical formula for phosphine will be
`PH_3`