Q101E

Question

The molecule XF3 has a dipole moment. Is X boron or phosphorus?

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer

The molecular structure of \({\rm{P}}{{\rm{F}}_{\rm{3}}}\)is not symmetrical and hence dipole does not cancels out.

 

1Step 1: Concept Introduction

It is a measure of the system's overall polarity .The electric dipole moment gives the separation of positive and negative electrical charges inside a system.

2Step 2: Find lone pair and dipole moment

There are no lone pairs in\({\rm{B}}{{\rm{F}}_{\rm{3}}}\),however one lone pair is present in\({\rm{P}}{{\rm{F}}_{\rm{3}}}\).

Therefore, as a result, the molecular structure of \({\rm{P}}{{\rm{F}}_{\rm{3}}}\) is asymmetrical, and the dipole does not cancel out.