Question

1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, etc. can only hold __ electron(s) each

Option 1: 2
Option 2: 6
Option 3: 8
Option 4: 10

Answer 1

Each s subshell, such as 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, can hold a maximum of 2 electrons. This rule comes from the quantum number calculation for s subshells. Thus, the correct answer to the question is Option 1: 2 electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The quantum theory of atoms indicates that each s sublevel (such as 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, etc.) can hold a maximum of two electrons. This is consistent with the rule that the maximum number of electrons that can be in a subshell is given by 2(2l + 1), where l is the azimuthal quantum number (0 for s subshells).

Therefore, for the s subshells, the calculation is 2(2·0 + 1) = 2. Contrastingly, the p subshells, like the 2p subshell, can hold a maximum of six electrons, as the calculation is 2(2·1 + 1) = 6 for the p subshells (where l=1).

As the student's question refers specifically to s subshells, the correct answer to the number of electrons the s subshells can hold is Option 1: 2 electrons each.