Group 15 includes nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, bismuth and moscovium. As we go down the group, there is a shift from non-metallic to metallic through metalloidic character. Nitrogen and phosphorus are non-metals, arsenic and antimony metalloids, bismuth and moscovium are typical metals. Molecular nitrogen comprises 78% by volume of the atmosphere. In the earth’s crust, it occurs as sodium nitrate, NaNO₃ (called Chile saltpetre) and potassium nitrate (Indian saltpetre). It is found in the form of proteins in plants and animals. Phosphorus occurs in minerals of the apatite family, Ca₉(PO₄)₆. CaX2 [X = F, Cl or OH] [e.g., fluorapatite Ca₉(PO₄)₆.CaF_2] which are the main components of phosphate rocks. Phosphorus is an essential constituent of animal and plant matter. It is present in bones as well as in living cells. Phosphoproteins are present in milk and eggs. Arsenic, antimony and bismuth are found mainly as sulphide minerals. Moscovium is a synthetic radioactive element. Its symbol is Mc, atomic number 115, atomic mass 289 and electronic configuration [Rn] 5f¹⁴6d¹⁰7s²7p³. Due to very short half life and availability in very little amount, its chemistry is yet to be established.

Which of the following represents the general electronic configuration of an element belonging to the p-block of the periodic table?

(n-2)f⁰(n-1)d⁰ ns²np^1-6

The general configuration representation of p-block elements is (n-2)f⁰(n-1)d⁰ns²np^1-6. This is because the s-subshell is completely filled, whereas, the p-subshell contains at least 1 electron. Other options are ruled out since either or both d – and f – subshell are partially filled.