Question

Which of the following element will have a half filled p-orbital?

• A. Carbon
• B. Hydrogen
• C. Phosphorous
• D. Neon

Answer 1

The correct option is C Phosphorous

Capacity of p-orbitals is of 6 electrons total, so half filled p-orbital means 3 electrons in it.

$\text{Phosphorus:}1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^3$
$\text{Neon:}1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^6$
$\text{Hydrogen:}1s^1$
$\text{Carbon:}1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^2$

Here, phosphorus has 3 electrons in its 3p orbital.