• Total Number Of Valence Electrons In Phosphorus
• Name The Number Of Valence Electrons In Phosphorus
• The Number Of Valence Electrons In An Atom Of Phosphorus

Answer: A neutral Phosphorus Atom has five valence electrons. These are contained in the third energy level of the atom.

Hydrogen has 1 valence electron, phosphorus has 5 valence electrons, and oxygen has 6 valence electrons. So, if you totaled all of the valence electrons in the ion HPO42- you'd get 1 + 5 + 6 X 4. Valence Electrons Chart - Valence Electrons of all the elements in table chart. This Valence Electrons chart table gives the Valence Electrons of all the elements of periodic table. Click on 'Element Atomic Number', 'Element Symbol', 'Element Name' and 'Element Valence Electrons' headers to sort.

The Phosphorus Element as it would be represented on a modern periodic table. Source

Phosphorus is an element which is part of Group 15 (formally known as the Pnictogen group) and is directly below the nitrogen atom. As was mentioned before, a neutral Phosphorus Atom contains five valence electrons in the third shell. You can see a Bohr Model of Phosphorus below this paragraph. It also supports the original answer of five valence electrons.

Total Number Of Valence Electrons In Phosphorus

Bohr Model of a Phosphorus Atom.

Name The Number Of Valence Electrons In Phosphorus

Due to the number of valence electrons, Phosphorus is capable of forming three bonds with other elements. Yet since it has a third-energy level, it can form more than three bonds if it is favorable to do so. Phosphorus tends to form an anion even though it has a low electronegativity. Due to its high reactivity, phosphorus is never found a pure element on earth.

Electron Configuration of Phosphorus with a Lewis Diagram on the side as well. Source

The Valence Electrons are found in different types of orbitals. Two are in the s-orbital (a circular orbital) while the other 3 are in p-orbitals (bell-shaped orbitals). There are a total of 4 orbitals in the valence shell to minimize electron-electron repulsion. Since their is less electron-electron repulsion, this formation is actually more stable than one with an extra electron. Therefore Phosphorus has a higher ionization than its Group-16 (Chalcogen) neighbors Sulfur.

The Number Of Valence Electrons In An Atom Of Phosphorus

Phosphorus as it moves in a biochemical process. Source

Phosphorus is necessary for some functions in life and is an essential component of fertile soil. It moves as a compound (not as a pure element) through what is called the Phosphorus cycle from the soil to plants and then back into the air before returning to the soil. Phosphorus is also essential component of matches. It was discovered in 1669 by Hening Brand.
Sources:
http://thechemistryguru.com/phosphorus/