Question

Explain the shape...

Answer 1

@abb0t can you help me understand why this is wrong?

Answer 2

It has 3 on the equitorial and 2 on the axial...

Answer 3

Is that the geometry?

Answer 4

It looks like this.
I think your drawing is right.

Answer 5

Hm, it should be that then. I don't know why it's wrong. Unless I am seeing it wrong.

Answer 6

Let me take a few for shots from diff. angles.

Answer 7

Compare the geometry PCl\(_5\). If they are the same, it should be trigonal bipyramidal. If not, then the geometry is different.

Answer 8

My book says PCl5 is trig. bi pryd

Answer 9

Anything higher would be octahedral geometry and that isn't right for a species with 3 atoms attached at equitorial position.

Answer 10

I agree. But take a look at this other problem the homework gave...I thought it was stupid as well. Maybe it will help on this one?

Answer 11

I wonder if the three atoms that are highlighted in the equitorial position have anything to do with the answer. Did you try trigonal planar?

Answer 12

What is wrong with the other one?

Answer 13

Why is the one a tetrahedral?

Answer 14

...And trigional planar did not work....

Answer 15

Because PCl\(_3\) has a lone pair electron on the "y-axis"

Answer 16

Remember that lone-pairs basically create a dipole-moment for the atoms, pushing them down slightly. And since the atoms are pushed downward slightly, this creates a tetrahedral geometry. Doest that make sense?

Answer 17

I wish you could see the pic of it my book gives, it is so confusing.

Answer 18

And the trigional planar did not work.\

Answer 19

@abb0t

Answer 20

why are the equatorial ligands lit up in blue?

does that signify that their electron pairs?

Answer 21

Actually the homework wanted me to do that for part A.

Answer 22

@aaronq

Answer 23

I have tried trig. pyramidal and tetrahedral to no avail.

Answer 24

if the blue atoms are electron pairs, the molecule is linear

Answer 25

It says that they are equatorial atoms.@aaronq

Answer 26

if they're actual atoms then it's definitely trigonal bipyramidal.

Answer 27

i noticed you spelled it wrong in the picture you posted, do you think that could be the problem?

Answer 28

Wow. That was it.

Answer 29

All this over spelling. :(

Answer 30

Thank YOU!

Answer 31

lol darn computers!

no problem dude

Answer 32

By the way, that little oval shape circle thing that is shown in your book is actually representative of an electron cloud. Meaning, there is an electron lone pair there. Just so you know.

Answer 33

Sorry for the late response, I went to bed early. But I was certain someone would come and help soon.