Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the difference between an orbit and an orbital in atomic theory?
3
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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In a neutral atom, how many electrons can occupy the electron shell closest to the nucleus (the first shell)?
A
2
B
8
C
6
D
4
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that the electron shells around the nucleus are labeled by principal quantum numbers (n = 1, 2, 3, ...), where the first shell corresponds to n = 1.
Recall that each shell contains subshells (s, p, d, f) and that the number of electrons each shell can hold depends on the number and type of these subshells.
For the first shell (n = 1), there is only one subshell: the 1s subshell.
The 1s subshell can hold a maximum of 2 electrons because each orbital can hold 2 electrons with opposite spins, and the 1s subshell has only one orbital.
Therefore, the maximum number of electrons that can occupy the first shell is given by the formula $2n^2$, which for n = 1 is $2 \times 1^2 = 2$ electrons.
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