Is arsenic trichloride a polar or nonpolar molecule?

Answer 1

its polar

there are two unbonded electrons on the central atom, As (Arsenic)

The molecule has eight valence electrons in total from the Hydrogen and Arsenic. Six of these are used for the three bonds, but there are two extra attached to the As.

The unbonded electrons have a greater effect on the shape of the molecule, and will skew it so that it is bent. The bonds between the As and H will then combine to form a force that does not balance out. There is a dipole moment, and it is therefore a polar molecule.

Answer 2

its polar

there are two unbonded electrons on the central atom, As (Arsenic)

The molecule has eight valence electrons in total from the Hydrogen and Arsenic. Six of these are used for the three bonds, but there are two extra attached to the As.

The unbonded electrons have a greater effect on the shape of the molecule, and will skew it so that it is bent. The bonds between the As and H will then combine to form a force that does not balance out. There is a dipole moment, and it is therefore a polar molecule.

Answer 3

PH3, usually called phosphine or phosphane has a small dipole moment of 0.58 D. The P-H bonds in PH3 are not polar as the electronegativities of P and H are the same. The bond angles are less than tetrahedral, 93 o compared to tetrahedral angle of 109.5 o , there are four electron pairs, three bonds and the lone pair give the molecule a distorted tetrahedral electron arangement, (VSEPR thoery). The slight polarity is best described as being due to the lone pair. Most text books say the molecule is non polar and this in practical terms is correct.

Answer 4

non polar