Chapter 2, Problem 2F.11E

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The hybridization of ${\text{P}}_4$ molecule has to be identified.

Concept Introduction:

Hybridization is the hypothetical concept of mixing of atomic orbital into hybrid orbitals that are of dissimilar shapes, energies and are appropriate for combination of electrons to form bonds in valence bond theory.

Hybridization is calculated by the hybrid orbitals and to calculate hybrid orbitals we need to know the steric number that is given by,

  $\text{Steric number}=\left[\begin{array}{c}\left(\text{number of atoms bonded to the central atom}\right)+\\ \left(\text{number of lone pairs on the central atom}\right)\end{array}\right]$        (1)

The table that relates the steric number with hybridization is as follows:

$\begin{array}{cc}\text{Steric Number}& \text{Type of Hybridisation}\\ 2& \text{sp}\\ 3& {\text{sp}}^2\\ 4& {\text{sp}}^3\\ 5& {\text{sp}}^3\text{d}\\ 6& {\text{sp}}^3{\text{d}}^2\end{array}$

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Whether ${\text{P}}_4$.molecule is polar or non-polar has to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Refer to part (a).