Question

The molecular geometry of the PF3 molecule is __________, and this molecule is ________.

O tetrahedral, unipolar
O trigonal pyramidal, nonpolar
O trigonal pyramidal, polar
O trigonal planar, nonpolar
O trigonal planar, polar

Answer 1

The molecular geometry of PF3 is trigonal pyramidal, and it is a polar molecule due to the dipoles from the P-F bonds not canceling out.

Step-by-step explanation:

The molecular geometry of the PF3 molecule is trigonal pyramidal, and this molecule is polar. PF3 has three nuclei and one lone pair, adopting a geometry similar to a tetrahedron with one vertex missing, which is the definition of a trigonal pyramidal shape. Furthermore, because the dipoles arising from the P-F bonds do not cancel each other out in this less-than-symmetrical molecular geometry, PF3 has a nonzero dipole moment, making it a polar molecule.

Answer 2

C.) trigonal pyramidal, polar

Step-by-step explanation:

Around the phosphorus central atom, there are 3 fluorine atoms and 1 lone pair. This makes the shape tetrahedral, but gives it a trigonal pyramidal geometry. The lone pair on the phosphorus disrupts the balance of the molecule and pulls the electrons towards it. This makes the molecule polar.