AP Chemistry Question

Question

Which of the following statements best explains why phosphorus ions tend to have a charge of -3?

 

(A) Phosphorus atoms want to gain 3 electrons in order to fill their p-subshell

(B) Phosphorus is only 3 electrons away from having the same number of electrons as a noble gas

(C) Phosphorus will be the most stable with a full third energy level

(D) Phosphorus is in period 3 of the periodic table and thus needs 3 additional electrons.

Answer 1

(A) Phosphorus atoms want to gain 3 electrons in order to fill their p-subshell

(B) Phosphorus is only 3 electrons away from having the same number of electrons as a noble gas

(C) Phosphorus will be the most stable with a full third energy level

 

Not really sure how A, B and C are different. They pretty much say the same thing but in different ways.  Choice D is obviously incorrect because the period in which an element is found has nothing to do with it gaining or losing electrons.