Question

Assertion : $PCl_5$ is covalent in gaseous and liquid states but ionic in solid state.
Reason : $PCl_5$ in solid state consists of tetrahedral $PCl_4^+$ cation and octahedral $PCl_6^-$ anion.

• A. If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
• B. If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
• C. If assertion is true but reason is false
• D. If both assertion and reason are false

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

$PCl _{5}$ is trigonal bipyramidal containing $sp^{3}d$ hybridized $P$ atom in liquid and gaseous states whereas in solid state it consists of tetrahedral $PCl _{4}^{+}$ cation and octahedral $PCl _{6}^{-}$ anion.