What is the maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in th

What is the maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in the M shell of an atom?

32
18
8
2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
The correct answer is 18.
The maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in an electron shell is given by the formula 2n², where ‘n’ is the principal quantum number of the shell.
Electron shells are denoted by K, L, M, N, … corresponding to principal quantum numbers n = 1, 2, 3, 4, … respectively. For the M shell, n=3. Therefore, the maximum number of electrons in the M shell is 2 * (3)² = 2 * 9 = 18.