A neutral phosphorus atom has 15 electrons. Two electrons can go into the 1 s subshell, 2 can go into the 2 s subshell, and 6 can go into the 2 p subshell. That leaves 5 electrons. Of those 5 electrons, 2 can go into the 3 s subshell, and the remaining 3 electrons can go into the 3 p subshell.