What is the maximum number of electrons that can occupy the first shell of an atom?

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  2. 4
  3. 8
  4. 16

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Option 1 : 2
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CONCEPT:

Electron Configuration and the Bohr Model

  • In atomic theory and quantum mechanics, an electron shell, or a principal energy level, may be thought of as an orbit followed by electrons around an atom's nucleus.
  • The Bohr model of the atom defines these shells and the maximum number of electrons that each shell can hold.
  • The first shell, also known as the K-shell, can hold a maximum of 2 electrons.

EXPLANATION:

  • According to the Bohr model, each shell is assigned a principal quantum number (n), with the first shell being n=1.
  • The maximum number of electrons in a shell is given by the formula 2n2.
  • For the first shell (n=1):
    • Maximum number of electrons = 2(1)2 = 2
  • Therefore, the first shell can hold a maximum of 2 electrons.

Therefore, the maximum number of electrons that can occupy the first shell of an atom is 2.

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