Learn to determine if PH3 (Phosphorous trihydride) is polar or non-polar based on the Lewis Structure and the molecular geometry (shape).

We start with the Lewis Structure and look and the polarity of the individual bonds in Phosphorous trihydride based on the electronegativity difference between atoms. Then we will use VSEPR to determine the shape of the molecule and look at how the shape of the molecule allows us to determine if the entire molecule is polar or nonpolar.

Lewis Structure for PH3: [ Ссылка ]

If you look at the Lewis structure for PH3 it does not appear a symmetrical molecule. However, to determine if PH3 is polar we must consider the molecular geometry. A polar molecule results from an unequal/unsymmetrical sharing of valence electrons. In PH3 the sharing is not equal and there is a net dipole. Therefore, PH3 is a polar molecule.

Get more chemistry help at [ Ссылка ] .

More Learning Resources

• Polar and Non-Polar Tutorial: [ Ссылка ]
• Drawing Lewis Structures: [ Ссылка ]
• Determining Molecular Geometry: [ Ссылка ]
• Periodic Table with Electronegativity Values: [ Ссылка ]
• Molecular Geometry App Used in Video: [ Ссылка ]

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Drawing/writing done in InkScape (www.InkScape.org). Screen capture done with Camtasia Studio 4.0. Done on a Dell Dimension laptop computer with a Wacom digital tablet (Bamboo).

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