Step 1: Identify the central atom in the molecule PCl5, which is phosphorus (P).
Step 2: Count the number of chlorine (Cl) atoms bonded to the phosphorus atom. There are five Cl atoms.
Step 3: Determine the number of bonding pairs around the phosphorus atom. Since there are five Cl atoms, there are five bonding pairs.
Step 4: Understand that the arrangement of five bonding pairs around a central atom leads to a specific geometric shape.
Step 5: Recognize that five bonding pairs create a trigonal bipyramidal shape, where three pairs are in a plane and two are above and below this plane.
