Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for phosphorus (atomic number 15)?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for the element phosphorus (atomic number 15)?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^3
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^1
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^5
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of phosphorus, which is 15. This means phosphorus has 15 electrons to be arranged in its electron configuration.
Recall the order in which electron orbitals are filled according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, and so on.
Fill the orbitals with electrons following the maximum capacity of each: 1s can hold 2 electrons, 2s can hold 2, 2p can hold 6, 3s can hold 2, and 3p can hold 6.
Add the electrons in order until you reach 15 total electrons: 2 in 1s, 2 in 2s, 6 in 2p, 2 in 3s, and the remaining 3 electrons go into 3p.
Write the electron configuration as $1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{6} 3s^{2} 3p^{3}$, which correctly represents the distribution of 15 electrons in phosphorus.
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