Chapter 7, Problem 53QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The number of unpaired electrons in a phosphorus atom are to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Orbitals are the regions where the probability of finding an electron is maximum. There is only one orbital in the first shell that is $s$ orbital, in the second shell there are two orbitals, which are $s$ and $p$ orbitals, in the third shell there are three orbitals $s$ , $p$ , and $d$ orbitals, and in the fourth shell there are, $s$ , $p$ , $d$ , and $f$ orbitals.