Can a second process execute when the Operating System is performing a context switch?
(1) First, lets define our terms. From Wikipedia:


  In computing, a context switch is the process of storing and restoring the state (more specifically, the execution context) of a process or thread so that execution can be resumed from the same point at a later time.


In other words, a context switch is the act of transfering control from one process to another. To recall the current process, the CPU has to take a snapshot of its state before allocating resources to the new process. 

(2) Now let's answer exactly what get's saved. Also from Wikipedia:


  registers and memory maps, updating various tables and lists, the PC, stack pointer, etc.


So, pretty much everything in the CPU needs to be stored somewhere else before loading in a new process' state.



Now let's consider your question by reasoning about two arbitrary processes, PID 1 and PID 2

PID 1 is preparing to hand the CPU to PID 2 and begins storing its state. Thus, all critical CPU elements are in use. One by one as these elements are stored, they are freed (often the timing is more complex) and the CPU can allocate those resources to PID 2.

Squeezing in an extra process would just cause overhead in the primary context switch between PID 1 and PID 2. You might even consider it a context switch inside of a context switch for any nontrivial process. Sure, if the ALU is open, it could probably do a quick calculation or two but what good would those results do when not a part of a process which is far more than just a few calculations?



Theoretically possible? Sure. Reasonable, NO. Instead of trying to use that time "lost" during a context switch, innovations focus on classifying different degrees of context switches. Basically, if you have a lightweight switch between a process, or perhaps a thread, the entire processor is not held up while doing so. For more reading, I suggest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-weight_process to see the difference in process types.

Clarification: The scheduler is a kernel space process.