Question

question 2 (1 point)
there are __________ unpaired electrons in a ground state phosphorus atom.
0
1
2
3
4

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the electron configuration of phosphorus

Phosphorus has an atomic number of 15. Its electron configuration is \(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{3}\).

Step2: Analyze the \(3p\) sub - shell

According to Hund's rule, electrons in degenerate orbitals (same - energy orbitals, here the three \(3p\) orbitals) are filled singly first. The \(3p\) sub - shell has three orbitals. For the \(3p^{3}\) configuration, each of the three \(3p\) orbitals has one electron (unpaired).

Answer:

3