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Step 1:I will help you determine the molecular geometry of PH^3 (phosphorous trihydride) using the valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory.
Step 2:
Determine the Lewis structure of PH^3: - Phosphorus (P) has 5 valence electrons, and each hydrogen (H) atom has 1 valence electron. - In the Lewis structure, phosphorus forms 3 covalent bonds with hydrogens, using 3 of its 5 valence electrons. - The remaining 2 valence electrons occupy a pair of non-bonding electron pairs.
Step 3:
Analyze the electron pairs around the central atom (Phosphorus) and calculate the electron pair geometries: - There are 4 electron pairs around the central atom (3 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair). - The electron pair geometry is tetrahedral (regular tetrahedron).
Step 4:
Determine the molecular geometry by examining the arrangement of atoms (not electron pairs): - Since there is one lone pair and three bonding pairs, the molecular geometry is a distorted tetrahedron or trigonal pyramidal.
Final Answer
The molecular geometry of PH^3 is trigonal pyramidal.
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