Understanding Shells' Arrangement

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The first shell can only hold two electrons due to the Pauli exclusion principle, which limits electrons in an atom from sharing the same quantum numbers. In the first shell (n=1), the only possible angular momentum quantum number (l) is 0, leading to a single orbital that can accommodate two electrons. Sub-shells are defined by the angular momentum quantum number, with higher principal quantum numbers allowing for multiple sub-shells. The principal quantum number (n) indicates the shell, while l and m relate to angular momentum and magnetic orientation, respectively. Understanding these concepts requires a foundational knowledge of quantum mechanics.
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Hi,

Why does the 1st shell only can have 2 electrons in it ?

Also what are sub-shells ?
 
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Jadaav said:
Hi,

Why does the 1st shell only can have 2 electrons in it ?

The Pauli exclusion principle says electrons in atoms cannot share the same 4 quantum numbers. The fact that the electrons are in the 1st shell determines 3 of them (n=1, l=0, ml=0), and there are only two possible values for the 4th quantum number (ms=+1/2 and ms=+1/2). Got it?

Also what are sub-shells ?

Well, for principal quantum numbers higher than n=1, there are multiple possibilities for the value of the angular momentum quantum number l (l=0 up to l=n-1). Each possible value of l is associated with a sub-shell: l=0 is called the s-subshell, l=1 is called the p-subshell, and so on.
 
What is the quantum number ?

and n,I and m ?
 
Jadaav said:
What is the quantum number ?

and n,I and m ?

The quantum number is something you should already know about if you are asking the question in your original post :wink:. Seriously though, please look that up on wikipedia to get the basics down, then come back here and ask specific questions if you are confused.
 
To know that, you need to learn quantum mechanics a little bit. Sub-shells are orbitals, determined by quantum numbers in Schrodinger's equations. n is the principal quantum number that determines the shell. l has something to do with angular momentum, m is the magnetic angular quantum number.

In general, l must be less than n, while m must be equal to or less than l. In the first shell n=1 as it is the first shell, l only =0. In the second shell where n=2, l=0 or 1, so m=+1 or -1 or 0. For each set of parameters there is one orbital and in one orbital there are two electrons. Thus in first shell there is only on orbital possible, thus 2 electrons.

I hope this would help you with your question.
 
ZealScience said:
To know that, you need to learn quantum mechanics a little bit. Sub-shells are orbitals, determined by quantum numbers in Schrodinger's equations. n is the principal quantum number that determines the shell. l has something to do with angular momentum, m is the magnetic angular quantum number.

In general, l must be less than n, while m must be equal to or less than l. In the first shell n=1 as it is the first shell, l only =0. In the second shell where n=2, l=0 or 1, so m=+1 or -1 or 0. For each set of parameters there is one orbital and in one orbital there are two electrons. Thus in first shell there is only on orbital possible, thus 2 electrons.

I hope this would help you with your question.

OK, thanks I'm going to learn quantum mechanics first.
 
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