The electronic configuration of an element is `1s^(2)2s^(2)2p^(6)3s^(2)3p^(3)`. The atomic number of the element which is just below the above element in the periodic table is

Options

A. 34
B. 49
C. 33
D. 3

Explanation

To determine the atomic number of the element just below the one with the electronic configuration `1s^(2)2s^(2)2p^(6)3s^(2)3p^(3)`, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Element from the Electronic Configuration**:
The given electronic configuration is `1s^(2)2s^(2)2p^(6)3s^(2)3p^(3)`.
- Count the total number of electrons:
- 1s: 2 electrons
- 2s: 2 electrons
- 2p: 6 electrons
- 3s: 2 electrons
- 3p: 3 electrons
- Total = 2 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 3 = 15 electrons.

2. **Determine the Atomic Number**:
The atomic number (Z) of an element is equal to the number of electrons in a neutral atom. Therefore, the atomic number of the element is 15.

3. **Identify the Element**:
The element with atomic number 15 is phosphorus (P).

4. **Locate the Position in the Periodic Table**:
Phosphorus is in Group 15 (the nitrogen group) and Period 3 of the periodic table.

5. **Find the Element Below Phosphorus**:
The element directly below phosphorus in the periodic table is arsenic (As), which is in the same group (Group 15) but in Period 4.

6. **Determine the Atomic Number of Arsenic**:
To find the atomic number of arsenic, we can add 18 to the atomic number of phosphorus (15):
- Atomic number of arsenic = 15 + 18 = 33.

### Final Answer:
The atomic number of the element which is just below phosphorus in the periodic table is **33**.

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