Electronic Configuration of Group 15 Elements

In the modern periodic table, p-block elements are placed on the right-hand side in groups from 13 to 18. Generally, p-block elements are no-metals but Group 15 has two non-metals, two metalloids and one metal. The electronic configuration of Group 15 elements is ns²np³ in their outer shell, where n is equal is the principal quantum number. 

Key Terms: Group 15 Elements, Modern Periodic Table, Electrons, Atoms, Electronic Configuration, Nitrogen, Metals, p-block Elements

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Group 15 Elements

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Group 15 elements consist of:

• Nitrogen (N)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Arsenic (As)
• Antimony (Sb)
• Bismuth (Bi)

Group 15 elements are also known as the Nitrogen family as they start with Nitrogen. As we move down the group, a transition from non-metallic to metallic nature can be observed. Nitrogen and Phosphorus are non-metals, Arsenic and Antimony are metalloids and Bismuth is a metal. Except for Bismuth, all the other elements of Group 15 exhibit allotropy. 

Group 15 elements

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Rules on Electronic Configuration of Group 15 Elements

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Electronic configuration is defined as the arrangement of electrons of an element in its subshells and orbital shells. The electronic configuration of an element also tells us whether the element is in a stable form or not. Atoms which have a complete octet in their outermost shell are considered to be stable. 

Note: 

• If the outermost shell of an atom does not possess the complete set of electrons, it is considered to be reactive. 
• The chemical properties of an element are also influenced by the electrons in its outer shell and have been found similar to the elements having the same number of electrons in their outer shell.

There are three rules associated with the electron configuration of elements. These rules are described below.

• Pauli’s Exclusion Principle
• Hund’s Rule
• Aufbau’s Principle

Pauli’s Exclusion Principle

Pauli’s exclusion principle states that the electrons of an atom should not possess the same n, m, and l simultaneously. Where,

• n is the Quantum Number
• m is the Azimuthal Quantum Number and
• l is the Principal Quantum Number

For example, let that n, m, and l for an electron in the same orbital path are the same. Then their magnetic quantum number will be the same as well, and they will have opposite integer spins, i.e. ½ and -½. 

Pauli's exclusion principle does not hold for bosons as they’re able to hold the same quantum state.

Hund’s Rule

Hund’s rule states that 

• Each orbital in a sublevel is singly occupied before being occupied doubly.
• All the electrons in singly occupied orbitals have the same spin to maximize the total spin.

Aufbau’s Principle

Aufbau’s principle states that orbitals must always be filled with electrons from the lowest energy level to the highest energy level. The order in which the orbitals are filled with electrons is: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p, and so on.

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Electronic Configuration of Group 15 Elements 

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The group 15 elements have five valence electrons. The electronic configuration of nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth are separately discussed below.

Electronic Configuration of Nitrogen

Nitrogen, one of the group 15 elements, is a non-metal with the atomic number 7. It is denoted by the symbol N and has an s-orbital with two electrons and a p-subshell with three electrons. Its electronic configuration is as follows-

[He]2s²2p³

Electronic Configuration of Phosphorus

Phosphorus is another non-metal in group 15 elements whose atomic number is 15, and symbol is P. The electronic configuration of Phosphorus is as follows-

[Ne]3s²3p³

Electronic Configuration of Arsenic

Arsenic is the third element in the group 15 elements and is a metalloid. It has an atomic number of 33, and the symbol As. Its electronic configuration is as follows-

[Ar]3d¹⁰4s²4p³

Electronic Configuration of Antimony

Antimony, the fourth element in the group 15 elements, is also a metalloid. Its atomic number is 51, and it is denoted by the symbol Sb. Its electronic configuration is as follows-

[Kr]4d¹⁰5s²5p³

Electronic Configuration of Bismuth

Bismuth, the last element in the group 15 elements, is a metal. Its atomic number is 83, and its symbol is Bi. Its electronic configuration is as follows-

[Xe]4f¹⁴5d¹⁰6s²6p³

Also Read:

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Previous Year Questions

1. The catalyst used in Ostwalds method nitric acid preparation, is:..
2. When lead nitrate is heated, it gives…
3. Yellow phosphorus is kept in…
4. An organic compound ′A′ is oxidized with… [JEE Main 2019] 
5. The correct order of the oxidation states of nitrogen in… [JEE Main 2019]
6. The colourless gas that turns brown in air is… [JKCET 2010]
7. The nitrogen oxide(s) that contain(s)... [JEE Advance 2009]
8. In the following reaction…
9. Which one of the following species acts as both Bronsted acid… [MHT CET 2008] 
10. Group 15 elements have more electron gain enthalpy than group… [VITEEE 2016]

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Things to Remember

• The Group 15 elements are a part of p-block elements which consists of Group 13 to 18.
• The Group 15 elements have an electronic configuration of ns2np3 in their outer shell.
• The Group 15 elements consist of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Arsenic, Antimony, and Bismuth.
• Since the Group 15 elements start with Nitrogen, they are also known as the Nitrogen family. 
• Moving down the group, a transition from non-metallic to metallic nature can be observed.