answersLogoWhite

0

Short answer:

It will have to gain three electrons to obtain a stable octet in its valence shell.

The answer if you're actually looking to understand:

Since the Atomic Number of Phosphorus is 15, that means that in its stable state it has 15 electrons. The first orbital will thus hold 2 electrons and the second will hold 8, both at the maximum capacity. That is a total of 10 electrons. As mentioned before, Phosphorus has 15 electrons, and so it has 5 electrons in its valence shell. The capacity of the third orbital is 8 electrons. Therefore, in order to fill the valence, Phosphorus would either have to lose its five valence electrons or pick up three. Since it will preferentially pick up the three before losing five, it will thus have to gain three electrons. (If you're looking to understand why it will pick up three rather than lose five, look up "ionization energy" and "electron affinity"

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

How many electrons does phosphrous have to gain or loose to have 8 valence?

Phosphorus, with 5 valence electrons, needs to gain 3 electrons to have a full set of 8 valence electrons. This would allow it to achieve a stable octet configuration, resembling the noble gas configuration of argon.


How many electrons must phosphorus p gain or lose to have 8 valence electrons?

Phosphorus wants to gain three electrons to have 8 valence electrons.


How many valence electrons must sulfur gain or lose to get 8 valence electrons?

Sulfur has 6 valence electrons. To achieve 8 valence electrons, sulfur must gain 2 electrons to fill its outer shell and satisfy the octet rule.


How many electrons phosphorus must gain or lose to have 8 valence electrons?

Phosphorus wants to gain three electrons to have 8 valence electrons.


How will atoms with 5 valence electrons achieve a full set of valence electrons?

They will gain 3 electrons from something with 3 valence electrons.


Would aluminum gain or lose electrons to becom like argon?

Aluminum would lose 3 electrons to become like argon. Argon has a full valence shell with 8 electrons, so aluminum, with 3 valence electrons, would need to lose these electrons to achieve a full valence shell configuration similar to argon.


In a reaction how many valence electrons will probably gain two electrons or share two covalent bonds?

In a reaction u need two valence electrons to gain or share two valence electrons.


How many valence electrons must sulfur gain to have a full valence?

it is in the oxygen family and has 6 valence electrons it requires 2 electrons


How much electrons would bromine have to gain or lose to get 8 valence electrons?

It'll have to gain one to have a stable octet.


Which side of the periodic table do elements gain valence electrons?

all the elemants have valence electrons the last number of the elecotrons is the elemets valence electrons


How many valence electrons must bromine gain or lose to get 8 valence electrons?

Bromine's atomic number is 35, so it has 7 valence electrons. To achieve 8 valence electrons and a full outer shell, bromine needs to gain one electron.


What are atoms valence electrons?

the electrons on their outer shell, all atoms want to gain a full valence shell.