Phosphorus Electron Configuration
Phosphorus (P) · 15 electrons · Reactive nonmetal
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3
Noble gas notation: [Ne] 3s2 3p3
Orbital diagram
↑↓
1s↑↓
2s↑↓↑↓↑↓
2p↑↓
3s↑↑↑
3p- Valence electrons
- 5
- Unpaired electrons
- 3
- Block
- p-block
- Magnetism (atom)
- paramagnetic
Electrons per shell
| K (n = 1) | 2 |
|---|---|
| L (n = 2) | 8 |
| M (n = 3) | 5 |
Phosphorus ion configurations
| Ion | Electrons | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| P3− | 18 | [Ne] 3s2 3p6 |
How to write it
Place 15 electrons into subshells in the Aufbau order (1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p), filling s with 2, p with 6, d with 10 and f with 14. Phosphorus sits in period 3, group 15, in the p-block, so its last electron enters a p subshell. Replacing the inner electrons with the previous noble gas gives the shorthand [Ne] 3s2 3p3.
Try phosphorus and its ions in the calculator, or see the full phosphorus data sheet.
Phosphorus electron configuration FAQ
What is the electron configuration of phosphorus?
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³. Shorthand (noble gas) notation: [Ne] 3s² 3p³.
What is the noble gas configuration of phosphorus?
[Ne] 3s² 3p³. The bracket stands for the Ne core electrons.
How many valence electrons does phosphorus have?
5 (outer shell (n = 3)).
How many unpaired electrons does phosphorus have?
3 in the ground state, following Hund’s rule. An atom with unpaired electrons is paramagnetic.
What is the electron configuration of P3−?
[Ne] 3s² 3p⁶ (18 electrons).