Multiple Choice
In an orbital diagram, which rule states that electrons must occupy orbitals singly before pairing up within a subshell?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
How many electrons can the first energy level (closest to the nucleus) hold before it is full?
A
4
B
6
C
8
D
2
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that the first energy level corresponds to the principal quantum number $n=1$.
Recall that each energy level contains one or more sublevels (orbitals), and the first energy level has only one sublevel: the 1s orbital.
Know that each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons with opposite spins, according to the Pauli exclusion principle.
Since the first energy level has only the 1s orbital, the total number of electrons it can hold is the capacity of that single orbital.
Therefore, the first energy level can hold a maximum of 2 electrons before it is full.
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