How many unpaired electrons does phosphorous have in its highest energy subshell? (note: this is not exactly the same as valence electrons).

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How many unpaired electrons does phosphorous have in its highest energy subshell?

(note: this is not exactly the same as valence electrons).  

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According to Pauli's Exclusion Principle, no two electrons in the same atom can have identical values for all four of their quantum numbers. This rule state that one atomic orbital can accommodate a maximum of two electrons.

If an atomic orbital contains only one electron the electron is said to be an unpaired electron.

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