Looking for classes? Ksquare Career Institute, Bengaluru →
Maximum number of electrons in a subshell of an atom is determined by the following
A
$2n^2$
B
$4l + 2$
C
$2l + 2$
D
$4l - 2$
Detailed Solution
A subshell with azimuthal quantum number l has $(2l + 1)$ orbitals, one for each value of $m_l$ from −l to +l.
Each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons with opposite spins (Pauli exclusion principle).
Maximum number of electrons in a subshell = $2(2l + 1) = 4l + 2$
Check: s (l = 0) holds 2, p (l = 1) holds 6, d (l = 2) holds 10, f (l = 3) holds 14.
($2n^2$ is the maximum number of electrons in a shell, not a subshell.)
Each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons with opposite spins (Pauli exclusion principle).
Maximum number of electrons in a subshell = $2(2l + 1) = 4l + 2$
Check: s (l = 0) holds 2, p (l = 1) holds 6, d (l = 2) holds 10, f (l = 3) holds 14.
($2n^2$ is the maximum number of electrons in a shell, not a subshell.)