Question Detail
Question
How many unpaired electrons does a phosphorus atom possess in its ground state?
Correct Answer
Option C is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
Phosphorus has the electron configuration 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³. The 3p subshell has three degenerate orbitals. With three electrons in the 3p subshell, Hund's rule dictates that each electron occupies a separate orbital with parallel spins, resulting in three unpaired electrons.
Hint
Apply Hund's rule to the 3p³ configuration to determine the number of unpaired electrons.