15 P 30.974

Phosphorus

polyatomic nonmetal

Properties

Atomic number
15
Atomic mass
30.974 u
Category
polyatomic nonmetal
Group
15
Period
3
Block
p-block
State (room temp)
Solid
Outer-shell electrons
5
Electronegativity
2.19 (Pauling)
Density
1.823 g/cm³
Melting point
-
Boiling point
-

Electron configuration

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³

Noble-gas shorthand: [Ne] 3s² 3p³

Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 5, which is 5 in the outermost shell.

Related: electron configuration, the Bohr model, valence electrons.

P
Bohr model; outer-shell electrons in blue

About Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a chemical element with symbol P and atomic number 15. As an element, phosphorus exists in two major forms (white phosphorus and red phosphorus), but due to its high reactivity, phosphorus is never found as a free element on Earth. Instead phosphorus-containing minerals are almost always present in their maximally oxidised state, as inorganic phosphate rocks.

Phosphorus: frequently asked questions

What is Phosphorus?
Phosphorus (P) is the chemical element with atomic number 15. It is a nonmetal (polyatomic nonmetal).
What is the atomic number of Phosphorus?
Phosphorus's atomic number is 15, which means every Phosphorus atom has 15 protons in its nucleus.
What is the electron configuration of Phosphorus?
The electron configuration of Phosphorus is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3 (noble-gas shorthand: [Ne] 3s2 3p3). Its electrons are arranged in shells of 2, 8, 5, with 5 in the outermost shell.
Is Phosphorus a metal or a nonmetal?
Phosphorus is a nonmetal (polyatomic nonmetal).
What group and period is Phosphorus in?
Phosphorus is in group 15 and period 3 of the periodic table.
Is Phosphorus a solid, liquid, or gas?
At room temperature, Phosphorus is a solid.

Position in the periodic table

Open the interactive periodic table →

Data compiled from Wikipedia, PubChem, and IUPAC. Source.