Final answer:
The first electron shell, labeled 1s, can hold a maximum of 2 electrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first electron shell, which is labeled 1s, can hold a maximum of 2 electrons.
The number of orbitals in any shell n will equal n², so for the first shell, there is only one orbital. Since each orbital can hold two electrons, a total of 2 electrons can fit in the first electron shell.
The maximum number of electrons that can be in a shell is given by the formula 2n², where n is the shell number. In the case of the first shell, n = 1, so 2(1²) = 2 electrons can fit in the first electron shell.