How many electrons can the first energy level hold?

Study for the Georgia High School Physical Science Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, detailed hints and explanations included. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

How many electrons can the first energy level hold?

Explanation:
Two electrons can fit in the first energy level. The first shell is closest to the nucleus and contains only one orbital, the 1s orbital. An orbital can hold up to two electrons with opposite spins due to the Pauli exclusion principle, so the maximum number in the first level is 2. The other numbers don’t describe its capacity: eight would require additional orbitals from higher energy levels, and zero or one would reflect underfilling rather than the level’s maximum.

Two electrons can fit in the first energy level. The first shell is closest to the nucleus and contains only one orbital, the 1s orbital. An orbital can hold up to two electrons with opposite spins due to the Pauli exclusion principle, so the maximum number in the first level is 2. The other numbers don’t describe its capacity: eight would require additional orbitals from higher energy levels, and zero or one would reflect underfilling rather than the level’s maximum.

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