Answer
- (a)Restatement: Electron configuration of P.
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^3
(b)Restatement: Quantum numbers for valence electrons in P.
Here’s a good place to use the chart format.
Electron Number n l ml ms
11 3 00+1/2
12 3 0 0 −1/ 2
13 3 11+1/2
14 3 10+1/2
15 3 1 −1+1/2
(c)Restatement: P paramagnetic or diamagnetic? Explain.
Phosphorus is paramagnetic, because a paramagnetic atom is defined as having mag-
netic properties caused by unpairedelectrons. The unpaired electrons are found in the
3 porbitals, each of which is half-filled.
(d)Restatement: Explain how PCl 3 , PCl 5 , PCl 4 +, PCl 6 – , and P 4 exist in nature.
Here’s another question where the chart format is appropriate.
PCl 3 PCl 5 PCI 4 + PCl 6 - P 4
Type of covalent covalent covalent covalent covalent
bond
Lewis
structure
Geometry pyramidal triangular tetrahedral octahedral tetrahedral
bipyramidal
Hybridization sp^3 sp^3 dsp^3 sp^3 d^2 sp^3
P
P
P P
Cl
Cl
P
Cl
Cl
Cl
Cl
+ −
P
ClClCl
Cl
P
Cl
Cl
Cl
Cl
Cl
P
ClClCl
Electronic Structure of Atoms