Each electron shell surrounding the nucleus of an atom can hold a specific maximum number of electrons. The first shell holds up to two electrons, the second shell can hold up to eight electrons, and the third shell can hold up to 18 electrons. This pattern continues, with the general formula for the maximum number of electrons in the nth shell being 2(n2).
Electron Shell Capacity
Here's a summary of the maximum electron capacity for the first few electron shells:
| Shell Number (n) | Maximum Number of Electrons (2n2) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2(12) = 2 |
| 2 | 2(22) = 8 |
| 3 | 2(32) = 18 |
| 4 | 2(42) = 32 |
| 5 | 2(52) = 50 |
This table illustrates that as the shell number increases, the maximum number of electrons that shell can accommodate also increases, following the 2n2 rule.
Understanding Electron Shells
Electron shells are conceptual energy levels representing the regions around an atom's nucleus where electrons are most likely to be found. These shells are sequentially filled with electrons, starting with the innermost shell (closest to the nucleus) before moving to the next outermost shell. The number of electrons in the outermost shell (valence electrons) determines the chemical properties of an atom.
