CameraIcon
CameraIcon
SearchIcon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

Predict the shape of NH3 and PCl3


Open in App
Solution

NH3:

  1. Ammonia is an odourless, colorless gas with a strong pungent smell. NH3 is the chemical formula for it. The gas ammonia is lighter than air.
  2. The central atom Nitrogen is bonded with three hydrogen atoms.
  3. The electronic configuration of Nitrogen is1s22s22p3. There are five valence electrons out of which three are used in sigma bonding with hydrogen atoms and one lone pair is left.
  4. Hybridisation of NH3= Number of sigma bonds +number of lone pair
  5. It forms three sigma bonds with hydrogen and has one lone pair, Hence it is sp3 hybridized
  6. Generally Molecules with sp3 hybridization has tetrahedral geometry but due to the presence of lone pair repulsion, the molecular shape is trigonal pyramidal.

PCl3:

  1. PCl3 is the chemical formula for phosphorus trichloride, an inorganic molecule. When pure, it is a colorless liquid.
  2. The central atom is phosphorous bonded with three chlorine atoms.
  3. The electronic configuration of Phosphorous is1s22s22p63s23p3. There are five valence electrons out of which three are used in sigma bonding with Chlorine atoms and one lone pair is left.
  4. Hybridization=Number of sigma bonds + Number of lone pair
  5. Hybridization=3+14. Hence it is sp3 hybridized.
  6. Generally Molecules with sp3 hybridization has tetrahedral geometry but due to the presence of lone pair, the molecular shape is trigonal pyramidal.

Therefore, the shape of NH3 and PCl3 is Trigonal pyramidal.


flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
1
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Hybridization
CHEMISTRY
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon