QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
How many electrons does phosphorus have in its valence shell?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5
12 months agoReport content
Answer
Full Solution Locked
Sign in to view the complete step-by-step solution and unlock all study resources.
Step 1:: Understand the problem
We need to find out how many electrons are in the valence shell of a phosphorus atom. The valence shell is the outermost shell of an atom, and it contains the electrons involved in chemical bonding.
Step 2:: Recall the atomic structure of phosphorus
Phosphorus is the 15th element in the periodic table, and its atomic number is 15. This means that a neutral phosphorus atom has 15 electrons.
Step 3:: Determine the electron configuration of phosphorus
The electron configuration of phosphorus is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³. This means that the first energy level has 2 electrons, the second energy level has 8 electrons, and the third energy level has 5 electrons.
Step 4:: Identify the valence electrons
The valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell, which is the third energy level in this case. There are 5 electrons in the third energy level (3s² 3p³).
Step 5:: Select the correct answer
Since there are 5 electrons in the valence shell of a phosphorus atom, the correct answer is E. 5.
Final Answer
Phosphorus has 5 electrons in its valence shell.
Need Help with Homework?
Stuck on a difficult problem? We've got you covered:
- Post your question or upload an image
- Get instant step-by-step solutions
- Learn from our AI and community of students