How many electrons can the M shell () hold at most?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. 18
- Step 1: Under the Bohr-Bury atomic model, the maximum number of electrons that can occupy a principal electronic shell with principal quantum number is given by .
- Step 2: The principal shells are designated alphabetically: K (), L (), and M ().
- Step 3: Setting , calculate the maximum electron holding capacity: electrons.
Answer
18.
Why not the others: 32 is the maximum capacity of the N shell (, ); 8 is the maximum capacity of the L shell (, ); 2 is the maximum capacity of the K shell (, ).
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