According to the periodic table above, phosphorus belongs to Group 5A. Therefore, Its valence electrons should be 5. Let's check using the electron configuration: 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^3 = 15 electrons = atomic number of P The outermost orbitals, 3s^2 3p^3, contains 5 electrons. Thus, valence electrons for P is 5. More @Wikipedia
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