Question

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phosphorus is an element that is commonly found in fertilizers as well as detergents, matches, and deoxyribonucleic acid.
numerical response
phosphorus has __ valence electrons, and is found in group __ on the periodic table.

Explanation:

Valence electrons are the outer shell electrons of an atom. Phosphorus has an atomic number of 15, with an electron configuration of 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p³, giving it 5 outer (valence) electrons. On the periodic table, elements in group 15 (or group 5 in older numbering systems) have 5 valence electrons, and phosphorus belongs to this group.

Answer:

Phosphorus has 5 valence electrons, and is found in group 15 (or 5) on the periodic table.