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

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
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Solution

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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 \(\boxed{\text{polar}}\).

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