SME
Inorganic Chemistry · Problem type
Finding a point group, step by step
Use this for “Work out the point group of PCl₅. Which question do you ask first?”
Put in order
Put the questions for finding a point group in order.
1
?
2
?
3
?
4
?
5
?
6
?
Assumptions
•
Ask the questions in order and stop at the first that settles the group; each later one assumes the earlier answers were no.
•
The principal axis is the Cₙ with the largest n; σₕ is perpendicular to it and σᵥ planes contain it.
•
With no plane at all, the group is Cₙ or Dₙ.
Topic check
See what you know: 5 questions on this topic
New questions each time. Pass to mark it complete.