Question

What is the maximum number of orbitals found in a given electron shell?

1) 1
2) 2
3) 4
4) 8

Answer 1

The maximum number of orbitals in a given electron shell is n², where n is the principal quantum number of the shell. This is not explicitly one of the provided options. Each orbital holds two electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The maximum number of orbitals found in a given electron shell is determined by the principal quantum number, n. For any given shell with principal quantum number n, the number of orbitals is n². Each orbital can hold 2 electrons, so when calculating the maximum number of electrons that a shell can hold, you would use the formula 2n².

For example, when n = 2, there are 2² or 4 orbitals, capable of holding up to 8 electrons. Similarly, for n = 5, we have 5² or 25 orbitals, with a capacity of up to 50 electrons. Therefore, the correct answer for the maximum number of orbitals in a given shell is none of the provided choices; it should be calculated based on n².