Number of right angle bonds in `PCl_(5)` is _______.

Answer

To determine the number of right angle bonds in \( PCl_5 \), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Structure of \( PCl_5 \)
- \( PCl_5 \) has a phosphorus atom at the center surrounded by five chlorine atoms.
- The molecular geometry of \( PCl_5 \) is trigonal bipyramidal due to \( sp^3d \) hybridization.

**Hint:** Recall the hybridization and geometry associated with the central atom in \( PCl_5 \).

### Step 2: Identify the Positions of Chlorine Atoms
- In the trigonal bipyramidal structure, there are two types of positions for the chlorine atoms:
- **Axial positions:** There are two chlorine atoms located above and below the phosphorus atom.
- **Equatorial positions:** There are three chlorine atoms located in a plane around the phosphorus atom.

**Hint:** Visualize the 3D arrangement of the atoms to distinguish between axial and equatorial positions.

### Step 3: Determine the Bond Angles
- The bond angles in the trigonal bipyramidal structure are:
- Axial bonds (between axial chlorine and phosphorus) are at \( 90^\circ \) to the equatorial bonds.
- Equatorial bonds are at \( 120^\circ \) to each other.

**Hint:** Remember the specific angles associated with axial and equatorial positions in trigonal bipyramidal geometry.

### Step 4: Count the Right Angle Bonds
- The right angle bonds are those that are at \( 90^\circ \) to each other.
- In \( PCl_5 \), the two axial chlorine atoms form right angle bonds with the phosphorus atom.

**Hint:** Focus on the axial positions to identify the right angle bonds.

### Step 5: Conclusion
- Therefore, the number of right angle bonds in \( PCl_5 \) is **2**.

**Final Answer:** The number of right angle bonds in \( PCl_5 \) is **2**.

---