Table of contents

1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 48m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 53m
7. Gases3h 49m
8. Thermochemistry2h 37m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 9m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 36m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

11. Bonding & Molecular Structure

Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds

General Chemistry

11. Bonding & Molecular Structure

Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the electron domain geometry and molecular geometry of PH3 (phosphine) based on its Lewis dot structure?

Electron domain geometry: trigonal planar; Molecular geometry: bent

Electron domain geometry: tetrahedral; Molecular geometry: tetrahedral

Electron domain geometry: tetrahedral; Molecular geometry: trigonal pyramidal

Electron domain geometry: trigonal planar; Molecular geometry: trigonal planar

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Verified step by step guidance

Draw the Lewis dot structure of PH\_3 by first counting the total valence electrons: phosphorus (P) has 5 valence electrons and each hydrogen (H) has 1, so total electrons = 5 + 3(1) = 8 electrons.

Arrange the atoms with phosphorus as the central atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms, and then distribute the remaining electrons to satisfy the octet rule for phosphorus, placing any leftover electrons as lone pairs on phosphorus.

Determine the electron domain geometry by counting the regions of electron density (bonding pairs + lone pairs) around the central phosphorus atom. Each bond and lone pair counts as one electron domain.

Identify the molecular geometry by considering only the positions of the atoms (bonding pairs) and ignoring the lone pairs. Lone pairs affect the shape by repelling bonding pairs, altering the molecular geometry from the electron domain geometry.

Conclude that with three bonding pairs and one lone pair on phosphorus, the electron domain geometry is tetrahedral (4 regions of electron density), and the molecular geometry is trigonal pyramidal (shape formed by the three bonded hydrogens and the lone pair).