Question

What is the electron configuration for a phosphide ion?

Answer 1

`["Ne"] 3s^2 3p^6`

Explanation:

The electron configuration of phosphorus is `["Ne"] 3s^2 3p^3`

When the phosphide ion forms, the phosphorus atom gains three electrons. Thus, the electron configuration becomes `["Ne"] 3s^2 3p^6` because the phosphorus atom gains three electrons that are added to the `3p` subshell.