The correct answer is C. 18.
The M-shell is the third shell in an atom, and it can hold up to 18 electrons. This is because each shell can hold up to 2n^2 electrons, where n is the shell number. The first shell (n=1) can hold up to 2 electrons, the second shell (n=2) can hold up to 8
electrons, and the third shell (n=3) can hold up to 18 electrons.Option A is incorrect because it is the number of electrons that can be held in the first shell.
Option B is incorrect because it is the number of electrons that can be held in the second shell.
Option D is incorrect because it is the number of electrons that can be held in the fourth shell.