Question

question 2. which of the following orbital notations for phosphorus is correct?

Explanation:

Phosphorus has an atomic number of 15. Its electron configuration is \(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{3}\). According to Hund's rule, electrons in the same sub - shell (here \(3p\)) will occupy degenerate orbitals singly before pairing up.

Answer:

The orbital notation where the \(3p\) orbitals have three unpaired electrons (one in each of the three \(3p\) orbitals) is correct. So, the option with \(3p\) orbitals having three single - electron arrows (↑) in each of the three \(3p\) boxes is the correct one.