Chapter 5.2, Problem 3QQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

During covalent bond formation, the number of hydrogen atoms that can form bond with a phosphorus atom has to be chosen from the given options.

Concept Introduction:

Sharing of electrons that is associated with covalent bond formation can be visualized using the Lewis structure.  Covalently bonded atoms contain bonding and non-bonding electrons.

The valence electrons that are shared between the atoms in covalent bond is known as Bonding electrons.  Dashes are used to represent the pair of valence electrons that are shared between the atoms.

The valence electrons that are not involved in the electron sharing is known as Nonbonding electrons.  These are also known as lone pair of electrons or unshared pair of electrons.  These electrons play a major role in geometry of molecules.

Atoms are involved in sharing of the valence electrons in order to attain the stable octet configuration.  Hydrogen atom has only one electron in it and hence octet is not possible for hydrogen atom alone.