Multiple Choice
How many occupied electron shells does a neutral magnesium atom have in its ground-state electronic configuration?
2
views
9. Electrons in Atoms and the Periodic Table
Electronic Structure: Shells
Struggling with Introduction to Chemistry?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Nitrogen has atomic number 7. In its ground-state electronic structure, how many occupied electron shells (principal energy levels) does a nitrogen atom have?
A
1 shell
B
2 shells
C
7 shells
D
3 shells
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the atomic number of nitrogen is 7, which means it has 7 electrons in its neutral ground state.
Understand that electrons fill shells (principal energy levels) starting from the lowest energy level (n=1) and moving outward.
The first shell (n=1) can hold up to 2 electrons, so fill this shell first with 2 electrons.
The remaining electrons (7 - 2 = 5) go into the second shell (n=2), which can hold up to 8 electrons.
Since all 7 electrons occupy only the first and second shells, nitrogen has 2 occupied electron shells in its ground-state electronic structure.
2:29mWatch next
Master Electronic Structure: Shells Concept 1 with a bite sized video explanation from Jules
Start learningRelated Videos
Related Practice
Electronic Structure: Shells practice set
Problem sets built by lead tutorsExpert video explanations