The orbital notation for phosphorus (P), which has an atomic number of 15, is as follows:
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³
This notation indicates the distribution of electrons in the various atomic orbitals.
To break it down:
- 1s²: The first two electrons fill the 1s orbital.
- 2s²: The next two electrons fill the 2s orbital.
- 2p⁶: The next six electrons fill the 2p orbitals, which can hold a maximum of six electrons.
- 3s²: The following two electrons fill the 3s orbital.
- 3p³: Finally, three electrons occupy the 3p orbital.
In total, this accounts for all 15 electrons in a neutral phosphorus atom. Each notation provides not just the number of electrons in each sublevel but also the arrangement of those electrons, which is crucial for understanding the element’s chemical behavior.