Chapter 10, Problem 55E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The bond angle from the unhybridized orbitals and the valence bond theory is agree with the experimentally measured bond angle of 93.3⁰.

Concept Introduction:

Three-dimensional sketch of $P{H}_3:$

Because the overlapping orbitals of the central atom are p orbitals and p orbitals are oriented at ${90}^{\circ }$ to each other, the predicted bond angle is ${90}^{\circ }$ for unhybridized orbitals. So, valence bond theory is compatible with the experimentally determined bond angle ${93.3}^{\circ }$ without hybrid orbitals.