How Many Electrons Can the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Electron Shells Hold?

Learn how many electrons the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th electron shells can hold using the 2n² formula for electron capacity.

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The 2nd shell can hold up to 8 electrons, the 3rd shell can also hold up to 18 electrons, and the 4th shell can hold up to 32 electrons. This capacity is determined by the formula 2n^2, where 'n' represents the number of the shell.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the maximum number of electrons the 2nd shell can hold? The 2nd electron shell can hold up to 8 electrons, according to the formula 2n², where n=2.
  2. How is the electron capacity of shells calculated? Electron capacity of a shell is calculated by the formula 2n², where n is the shell number.
  3. Why can the 3rd shell hold more electrons than the 2nd shell? The 3rd shell can hold more electrons because its shell number (n=3) results in a higher capacity when applied to the formula 2n², allowing up to 18 electrons.