Question

What is the maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated by M shell?

• A. 2
• B. 8
• C. 18
• D. 32

Answer 1

The correct option is C

18

Electronic configuration: The arrangement of electrons in various shells of an atom of an element is called electronic configuration. The electrons that can be accommodated into a particular shell were given by the formula $2{\mathrm{n}}^2$, where n is the number of the orbit.

The explanation for the correct answer

Option C

• The electrons are revolving around the nucleus in a `definite circular path known as shells or orbit.
• The principal shell M is the 3rd shell of an atom i.e, its n value equals to 3.
• The number of electrons accommodated to M shell = $2{\mathrm{n}}^2$ = $2\times 3^2$ = $2\times 9$ = $18$

The explanation for the incorrect answers

Option A

• The electrons are revolving around the nucleus in a `definite circular path known as shells or orbit.
• The principal shell K is the 1st shell of an atom i.e, its n value equals to 1.
• The number of electrons accommodated to M shell = $2{\mathrm{n}}^2$ = $2\times 1^2$ = $2\times 1$ = $2$

Option B

• The electrons are revolving around the nucleus in a `definite circular path known as shells or orbit.
• The principal shell L is the 2nd shell of an atom i.e, its n value equals to 2.
• The number of electrons accommodated to L shell = $2{\mathrm{n}}^2$ = $2\times 2^2$ = $2\times 4$ = $8$

Option D

• The electrons are revolving around the nucleus in a `definite circular path known as shells or orbit.
• The principal shell N is the 4th shell of an atom i.e, its n value equals to 4.
• The number of electrons accommodated to N shell = $2{\mathrm{n}}^2$ =$2\times 4^2$ = $2\times 16$ = $32$

Thus, option C i.e., 18 is the correct option.