Chemistry - CHEMICAL BONDING Question with Solution | TestHub

Question Explanation:

In which of the following statements is correct for ${\mathrm{PO}}_4{}^{3-}$.

Concept: Bond order

Solution:

Resonating structure are 5 in count  Number of identical P–O bonds are 4 Atoms in a plane are 3

The bond order of the P-O bonds in the phosphate ion (𝑃𝑂3−4) is 1.25, calculated by averaging the total number of bonds (5) across its four equivalent resonance structures (5 bonds / 4 structures).

This reflects delocalization, where one P-O bond is double and three are single in each structure, but all P-O bonds effectively have a partial double bond character, with an average order of 1.25.