<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

The number of electrons that can be in a subshell depends entirely on the value of l size 12{l} {} . Once l size 12{l} {} is known, there are a fixed number of values of m l size 12{m rSub { size 8{l} } } {} , each of which can have two values for m s size 12{m rSub { size 8{s} } } {} First, since m l size 12{m rSub { size 8{l} } } {} goes from l size 12{ - l} {} to l in steps of 1, there are 2 l + 1 size 12{2l+1} {} possibilities. This number is multiplied by 2, since each electron can be spin up or spin down. Thus the maximum number of electrons that can be in a subshell is 2 2 l + 1 size 12{2 left (2l+1 right )} {} .

For example, the 2 s size 12{2s} {} subshell in [link] has a maximum of 2 electrons in it, since 2 2 l + 1 = 2 0 + 1 = 2 size 12{2 left (2l+1 right )=2 left (0+1 right )=2} {} for this subshell. Similarly, the 2 p size 12{2p} {} subshell has a maximum of 6 electrons, since 2 2 l + 1 = 2 2 + 1 = 6 size 12{2 left (2l+1 right )=2 left (2+1 right )=6} {} . For a shell, the maximum number is the sum of what can fit in the subshells. Some algebra shows that the maximum number of electrons that can be in a shell is 2 n 2 size 12{2n rSup { size 8{2} } } {} .

For example, for the first shell n = 1 size 12{n=1} {} , and so 2 n 2 = 2 size 12{2n rSup { size 8{2} } =2} {} . We have already seen that only two electrons can be in the n = 1 size 12{n=1} {} shell. Similarly, for the second shell, n = 2 size 12{n=2} {} , and so 2 n 2 = 8 size 12{2n rSup { size 8{2} } =8} {} . As found in [link] , the total number of electrons in the n = 2 size 12{n=2} {} shell is 8.

Subshells and totals for n = 3 size 12{n=3} {}

How many subshells are in the n = 3 size 12{n=3} {} shell? Identify each subshell, calculate the maximum number of electrons that will fit into each, and verify that the total is 2 n 2 size 12{2n rSup { size 8{2} } } {} .

Strategy

Subshells are determined by the value of l size 12{l} {} ; thus, we first determine which values of l size 12{ ital "ls"} {} are allowed, and then we apply the equation “maximum number of electrons that can be in a subshell = 2 2 l + 1 size 12{2 left (2l+1 right )} {} ” to find the number of electrons in each subshell.

Solution

Since n = 3 size 12{n=3} {} , we know that l can be 0, 1 , or 2 ; thus, there are three possible subshells. In standard notation, they are labeled the 3 s , 3 p , and 3 d size 12{3d} {} subshells. We have already seen that 2 electrons can be in an s state, and 6 in a p size 12{p} {} state, but let us use the equation “maximum number of electrons that can be in a subshell = 2 2 l + 1 size 12{2 left (2l+1 right )} {} ” to calculate the maximum number in each:

3 s has l = 0 ; thus, 2 2 l + 1 = 2 0 + 1 = 2 3 p has l = 1; thus, 2 2 l + 1 = 2 2 + 1 = 6 3 d has l = 2; thus, 2 2 l + 1 = 2 4 + 1 = 10 Total = 18 ( in the n = 3 shell )

The equation “maximum number of electrons that can be in a shell = 2 n 2 size 12{2n rSup { size 8{2} } } {} ” gives the maximum number in the n = 3 size 12{n=3} {} shell to be

Maximum number of electrons = 2 n 2 = 2 3 2 = 2 9 = 18.

Discussion

The total number of electrons in the three possible subshells is thus the same as the formula 2 n 2 size 12{2n rSup { size 8{2} } } {} . In standard (spectroscopic) notation, a filled n = 3 size 12{n=3} {} shell is denoted as 3 s 2 3 p 6 3 d 10 size 12{3s rSup { size 8{2} } 3p rSup { size 8{6} } 3d rSup { size 8{"10"} } } {} . Shells do not fill in a simple manner. Before the n = 3 size 12{n=3} {} shell is completely filled, for example, we begin to find electrons in the n = 4 size 12{n=4} {} shell.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Shell filling and the periodic table

[link] shows electron configurations for the first 20 elements in the periodic table, starting with hydrogen and its single electron and ending with calcium. The Pauli exclusion principle determines the maximum number of electrons allowed in each shell and subshell. But the order in which the shells and subshells are filled is complicated because of the large numbers of interactions between electrons.

Electron configurations of elements hydrogen through calcium
Element Number of electrons (Z) Ground state configuration
H 1 1 s 1 size 12{1s rSup { size 8{1} } } {}
He 2 1 s 2 size 12{1s rSup { size 8{2} } } {}
Li 3 1 s 2 size 12{1s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 2 s 1 size 12{2s rSup { size 8{1} } } {}
Be 4 " 2 s 2 size 12{2s rSup { size 8{2} } } {}
B 5 " 2 s 2 size 12{2s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 2 p 1 size 12{2p rSup { size 8{1} } } {}
C 6 " 2 s 2 size 12{2s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 2 p 2 size 12{2p rSup { size 8{2} } } {}
N 7 " 2 s 2 size 12{2s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 2 p 3 size 12{2p rSup { size 8{3} } } {}
O 8 " 2 s 2 size 12{2s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 2 p 4 size 12{2p rSup { size 8{4} } } {}
F 9 " 2 s 2 size 12{2s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 2 p 5 size 12{2p rSup { size 8{5} } } {}
Ne 10 " 2 s 2 size 12{2s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 2 p 6 size 12{2p rSup { size 8{6} } } {}
Na 11 " 2 s 2 size 12{2s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 2 p 6 size 12{2p rSup { size 8{6} } } {} 3 s 1 size 12{3s rSup { size 8{1} } } {}
Mg 12 " " " 3 s 2 size 12{3s rSup { size 8{2} } } {}
Al 13 " " " 3 s 2 size 12{3s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 3 p 1 size 12{3p rSup { size 8{1} } } {}
Si 14 " " " 3 s 2 size 12{3s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 3 p 2 size 12{3p rSup { size 8{2} } } {}
P 15 " " " 3 s 2 size 12{3s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 3 p 3 size 12{3p rSup { size 8{3} } } {}
S 16 " " " 3 s 2 size 12{3s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 3 p 4 size 12{3p rSup { size 8{4} } } {}
Cl 17 " " " 3 s 2 size 12{3s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 3 p 5 size 12{3p rSup { size 8{5} } } {}
Ar 18 " " " 3 s 2 size 12{3s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 3 p 6 size 12{3p rSup { size 8{6} } } {}
K 19 " " " 3 s 2 size 12{3s rSup { size 8{2} } } {} 3 p 6 size 12{3p rSup { size 8{6} } } {} 4 s 1 size 12{4s rSup { size 8{1} } } {}
Ca 20 " " " " " 4 s 2 size 12{4s rSup { size 8{2} } } {}

Questions & Answers

how did you get 1640
Noor Reply
If auger is pair are the roots of equation x2+5x-3=0
Peter Reply
Wayne and Dennis like to ride the bike path from Riverside Park to the beach. Dennis’s speed is seven miles per hour faster than Wayne’s speed, so it takes Wayne 2 hours to ride to the beach while it takes Dennis 1.5 hours for the ride. Find the speed of both bikers.
MATTHEW Reply
420
Sharon
from theory: distance [miles] = speed [mph] × time [hours] info #1 speed_Dennis × 1.5 = speed_Wayne × 2 => speed_Wayne = 0.75 × speed_Dennis (i) info #2 speed_Dennis = speed_Wayne + 7 [mph] (ii) use (i) in (ii) => [...] speed_Dennis = 28 mph speed_Wayne = 21 mph
George
Let W be Wayne's speed in miles per hour and D be Dennis's speed in miles per hour. We know that W + 7 = D and W * 2 = D * 1.5. Substituting the first equation into the second: W * 2 = (W + 7) * 1.5 W * 2 = W * 1.5 + 7 * 1.5 0.5 * W = 7 * 1.5 W = 7 * 3 or 21 W is 21 D = W + 7 D = 21 + 7 D = 28
Salma
Devon is 32 32​​ years older than his son, Milan. The sum of both their ages is 54 54​. Using the variables d d​ and m m​ to represent the ages of Devon and Milan, respectively, write a system of equations to describe this situation. Enter the equations below, separated by a comma.
Aaron Reply
find product (-6m+6) ( 3m²+4m-3)
SIMRAN Reply
-42m²+60m-18
Salma
what is the solution
bill
how did you arrive at this answer?
bill
-24m+3+3mÁ^2
Susan
i really want to learn
Amira
I only got 42 the rest i don't know how to solve it. Please i need help from anyone to help me improve my solving mathematics please
Amira
Hw did u arrive to this answer.
Aphelele
hi
Bajemah
-6m(3mA²+4m-3)+6(3mA²+4m-3) =-18m²A²-24m²+18m+18mA²+24m-18 Rearrange like items -18m²A²-24m²+42m+18A²-18
Salma
complete the table of valuesfor each given equatio then graph. 1.x+2y=3
Jovelyn Reply
x=3-2y
Salma
y=x+3/2
Salma
Hi
Enock
given that (7x-5):(2+4x)=8:7find the value of x
Nandala
3x-12y=18
Kelvin
please why isn't that the 0is in ten thousand place
Grace Reply
please why is it that the 0is in the place of ten thousand
Grace
Send the example to me here and let me see
Stephen
A meditation garden is in the shape of a right triangle, with one leg 7 feet. The length of the hypotenuse is one more than the length of one of the other legs. Find the lengths of the hypotenuse and the other leg
Marry Reply
how far
Abubakar
cool u
Enock
state in which quadrant or on which axis each of the following angles given measure. in standard position would lie 89°
Abegail Reply
hello
BenJay
hi
Method
I am eliacin, I need your help in maths
Rood
how can I help
Sir
hmm can we speak here?
Amoon
however, may I ask you some questions about Algarba?
Amoon
hi
Enock
what the last part of the problem mean?
Roger
The Jones family took a 15 mile canoe ride down the Indian River in three hours. After lunch, the return trip back up the river took five hours. Find the rate, in mph, of the canoe in still water and the rate of the current.
cameron Reply
Shakir works at a computer store. His weekly pay will be either a fixed amount, $925, or $500 plus 12% of his total sales. How much should his total sales be for his variable pay option to exceed the fixed amount of $925.
mahnoor Reply
I'm guessing, but it's somewhere around $4335.00 I think
Lewis
12% of sales will need to exceed 925 - 500, or 425 to exceed fixed amount option. What amount of sales does that equal? 425 ÷ (12÷100) = 3541.67. So the answer is sales greater than 3541.67. Check: Sales = 3542 Commission 12%=425.04 Pay = 500 + 425.04 = 925.04. 925.04 > 925.00
Munster
difference between rational and irrational numbers
Arundhati Reply
When traveling to Great Britain, Bethany exchanged $602 US dollars into £515 British pounds. How many pounds did she receive for each US dollar?
Jakoiya Reply
how to reduced echelon form
Solomon Reply
Jazmine trained for 3 hours on Saturday. She ran 8 miles and then biked 24 miles. Her biking speed is 4 mph faster than her running speed. What is her running speed?
Zack Reply
d=r×t the equation would be 8/r+24/r+4=3 worked out
Sheirtina
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 4

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, College physics for ap® courses. OpenStax CNX. Nov 04, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11844/1.14
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'College physics for ap® courses' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask