What is the total number of p electrons in a single phosphorus atom in its ground state?

9 p-electrons

Explanation:

Phosphorus is a reactive chemical element that belongs to the group 15 and period 3 of the periodic table. It is a p-block element having atomic number 15.

The electronic configuration of phosphorus in the ground state is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³.

Since, 6 electrons are present in the 2p subshell and 3 electrons are present in the 3p subshell.

Therefore, there are total 9 p-electrons in a phosphorus atom present in its ground state.

the mantle

explanation:

earth is divided into three layers: the crust or the outermost layer on which we live; the underlying, middle layer - the mantle - and the core (the innermost layer of earth).