The number of electrons each energy level can hold depends on the level's principal quantum number (n). Each energy level can accommodate a maximum number of electrons calculated using the formula 2n², where n represents the energy level.
Energy Level Electron Capacity
- Level 1 (K): n = 1; Maximum electrons = 2(1)² = 2 electrons
- Level 2 (L): n = 2; Maximum electrons = 2(2)² = 8 electrons
- Level 3 (M): n = 3; Maximum electrons = 2(3)² = 18 electrons
- Level 4 (N): n = 4; Maximum electrons = 2(4)² = 32 electrons
- Level 5 (O): n = 5; Maximum electrons = 2(5)² = 50 electrons
- Level 6 (P): n = 6; Maximum electrons = 2(6)² = 72 electrons
- Level 7 (Q): n = 7; Maximum electrons = 2(7)² = 98 electrons
This pattern continues for higher energy levels, although these higher levels are rarely fully occupied in naturally occurring atoms. Remember that this is the maximum number; an atom may have fewer electrons in a given level.
The provided references support this, stating that the first energy level holds a maximum of 2 electrons, the second 8, the third 18, and the fourth 32, following the 2n² rule. Several sources explicitly mention this formula for calculating the maximum electron capacity of each energy level.
