The molecular geometry of H3PO4 (phosphoric acid) is tetrahedral. In this molecule, the central phosphorus atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms, where three of these are connected to hydrogen atoms, forming O-H bonds.
In more detail, phosphorus has a total of five valence electrons and forms four bonds: three single bonds with the hydroxyl groups (-OH) and one double bond with one of the oxygen atoms. The presence of these bonds results in a tetrahedral arrangement, as this geometry minimizes the repulsion between the electron pairs surrounding the phosphorus atom.
This structure is important for understanding the reactivity and properties of phosphoric acid, as the spatial arrangement of atoms influences how the molecule interacts in chemical reactions.