Question

Use the periodic table to complete the activity.

The periodic table of elements shows element groups, periods, and element properties.

In 3–5 sentences, predict how phosphorus and chlorine would bond. Explain why they would bond that way.

Answer 1

Phosphorus and chlorine will form covalent bonds (for example PCl3 or PCl5) rather than an ionic bond because both are nonmetals. Phosphorus has five valence electrons and can share three (to make PCl3) or expand its octet and share five (to make PCl5) to achieve a filled shell, while each chlorine has seven valence electrons and needs one more to complete an octet. Because chlorine is more electronegative than phosphorus, the P–Cl bonds are polar covalent with electron density pulled toward the chlorine atoms.