Question

4.Write the full electron configuration for phosphorus, atomic symbol P, then draw an orbital box diagram on a separate piece of paper that accounts for all of the electrons in phosphorus. You don’t need to include the orbital box diagram as part of your answer. Based on your drawing, explain why phosphorus is either paramagnetic or diamagnetic

Answer 1

1) The electron configuration for P:

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3

2) Orbital diagram for P:

3) P is paramagnetic with the 3 partially filled "p" orbitals having unpaired electrons in the most external shell, giving them the overall properties of a paramagnetic material.