Is the molecule PF3 polar or nonpolar?

The molecule phosphorus trifluoride (PF₃) is considered polar.

This polarity arises mainly from the geometry of the molecule and the difference in electronegativity between phosphorus (P) and fluorine (F). In PF₃, phosphorus is the central atom bonded to three fluorine atoms.

Fluorine is highly electronegative, meaning it attracts the shared electrons in the P-F bonds more than phosphorus does. This results in a partial negative charge (δ-) at the fluorine atoms and a partial positive charge (δ+) at the phosphorus atom.

Additionally, PF₃ has a trigonal pyramidal shape due to the presence of a lone pair of electrons on the phosphorus atom. This asymmetry in the molecular shape prevents the dipole moments from canceling out, leading to a net dipole moment.

Overall, the combination of the differences in electronegativity and the geometry of the molecule makes PF₃ a polar molecule.