Is AsH3 a tetrahedron or a trigonal pyramid??
It is AX3E, which my book says is a trigonal pyramid, but then the notes my professor gave me says it's a tetrahedron.. I'm so confused..
2007-05-02 10:14:27 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
I know I got a tetrahedron for the electronic shape, but then her notes also say "tetrahedron" for the species shape. I was like "what the..:"
Thanks for helping! I thought I was going crazy..
2007-05-02 10:53:30 · update #1
A molecule with 4 atoms can't be tetrahedral! Tell your professor that!
Trigonal pyrmaidal, with a bond angle close to 90 degrees.
2007-05-02 10:41:25 · answer #1 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As only has 3 H's bonded to it, so its molecular configuration is trigonal pyramid. However, its ELECTRONIC configuration is tetrahedron.
The molecular configuration refers to what a molecule actually looks like.
The electronic configuration refers to what a molecule would look like IF the main element (As in this case) did not have any lonepairs. AsH3 has 1 lone pair and 3 bonds.
2007-05-02 10:45:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋