* Central Atom: Phosphorus (P) is the central atom.
* Valence Electrons: Phosphorus has 5 valence electrons, and each chlorine (Cl) atom has 7.
* Bonding: Phosphorus forms three single covalent bonds with three chlorine atoms.
* Lone Pair: Phosphorus has one lone pair of electrons.
* Shape: The four electron pairs around phosphorus arrange themselves in a tetrahedral geometry. However, the lone pair exerts a stronger repulsion than the bonding pairs, pushing the three chlorine atoms closer together, resulting in a trigonal pyramidal shape.
Visual Representation:
Imagine a pyramid with a triangular base, where the phosphorus atom is at the apex and the three chlorine atoms are at the corners of the base. The lone pair on phosphorus points downwards, giving the molecule its pyramidal shape.