Question

Which is the correct equation for the third ionization of phosphorous?

A. P (g) --> P+ (g) + e-
B. P3+ (g) + e- --> P2+ (g)
C. P2+ (g) --> P3+ (g) + e-
D. P+ (g) --> P2+ (g) + e-
E. P2- (g) --> P3- (g) + e-

Answer 1

The third ionization of phosphorus is represented by the equation P2+ (g) → P3+ (g) + e-, indicating the removal of the third electron from a doubly positive phosphorus ion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct equation for the third ionization of phosphorus is option C: P2+ (g) → P3+ (g) + e-. This equation represents the process of removing the third electron from a phosphorus atom. During the third ionization, we start with a phosphorus ion that has already lost two electrons (P2+), and we remove one more electron to form a phosphorus ion with a 3+ charge (P3+).

To understand the process, we look at the electron configuration of a neutral phosphorus atom, which is 1s²2s²2p¶3s²3p³. After losing two electrons (first and second ionization), the P2+ ion will have an electron configuration of 1s²2s²2p¶3s²3p±. The third electron is removed from the 3p orbital, resulting in P3+ with an electron configuration of 1s²2s²2p¶3s²3p°.