Number of electrons that Vanadium (Z = 23) has in p-orbitals is equal to _____________

Solution

Chemistry ma’am · 3 steps

Write the full configuration of V, then add up every p subshell: 2p and 3p both count.

1. Fill by Aufbau. Place 23 electrons in the order 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d. Vanadium is not one of the exceptions like Cr or Cu, so the normal order holds.

   V: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d³

2. Pick out p. Only two p subshells are filled: 2p⁶ and 3p⁶. The 4p subshell comes after 3d, so it is still empty.
3. So. Electrons in p-orbitals = 6 + 6 = 12.

The common slip: 6. Counting only the outer 3p subshell, or only 2p, gives 6. Both full p subshells must be added.

The idea to keep. When a question asks for electrons in one type of orbital, write the complete configuration and add that letter across every shell, not just the outermost one.

Answer from the NTA final answer key. Solution by PrepWiser.