Question

Assertion : PCl₅ is covalent in gaseous and liquid states but ionic in solid state. 

Reason : PCl₅ in solid state consists of tetrahedral PCl₄⁺, cation and octahedral PCl₆^- anion.

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are true but R is not correct explanation of A

(c) A is true but R is false

(d) A and R are false

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation:

PCl₅ is trigonal bipyramidal containing sp³d hybridized P atom in liquid and gaseous states whereas in solid state it consists of tetrahedral PCl₄⁺ cation and octahedral PCl₆^- anion.