Questions: Lab: Interpreting Molecules
The PF3 molecule is trigonal pyramidal and the P-F bond is polar.
What is the molecule polarity for the PF3 molecule?
nonpolar
metallic
polar
ionic
Transcript text: Lab: Interpreting Molecules
The PF3 molecule is trigonal pyramidal and the P-F bond is polar.
What is the molecule polarity for the PF3 molecule?
nonpolar
metallic
polar
ionic
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Determine Molecular Geometry
The PF\(_3\) molecule has a trigonal pyramidal shape. This geometry arises because phosphorus (P) has one lone pair and three bonding pairs of electrons with fluorine (F) atoms.
Step 2: Assess Bond Polarity
Each P-F bond is polar due to the difference in electronegativity between phosphorus and fluorine. Fluorine is more electronegative than phosphorus, causing a dipole moment in each P-F bond.
Step 3: Evaluate Overall Molecular Polarity
Given the trigonal pyramidal shape and the polar P-F bonds, the dipole moments do not cancel out. The lone pair on phosphorus contributes to the asymmetry of the molecule, resulting in a net dipole moment.
Final Answer
The PF\(_3\) molecule is \(\boxed{\text{polar}}\).