MCAT General Chemistry Question 4: Answer and Explanation
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Question: 4
4. Which of the following equations describes the maximum number of electrons that can fill a subshell?
- A. 2l + 2
- B. 4l + 2
- C. 2l2
- D. 2l2 + 2
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
This formula describes the number of electrons in terms of the azimuthal quantum number l, which ranges from 0 to n - 1, with n being the principal quantum number. A table of the maximum number of electrons per subshell is provided here:
| Subshell | Azimuthal Quantum Number (l) | Number of Electrons |
| s | 0 | 2 |
| p | 1 | 6 |
| d | 2 | 10 |
| f | 3 | 14 |