Chapter 15, Problem 20RQ

Solution

To determine: The relationship between the maximum number of electrons each shell can hold and the number of elements in each period of the periodic table.

Answer:

The maximum number of electrons that shell can hold is equal to the number of elements in their respective period.

Explanation:

The electrons are filled inside the atom according to the octet rule. On the other hand, the maximum number of electrons has a relation with the number of shells. The maximum number of electrons in an atom is two times the square of the number of shells.

If we move down the group, the atomic number rises and also the number of electrons present in it. The more the number of electrons in an element, the more will be shells needed to occupy these electrons.

The number of protons and electrons in an atom from left to right in the periodic table are filled consecutively by one. The maximum number of electrons that each shell holds in an atom is equal to the number of elements in their corresponding period. So, mostly in the periodic table, the elements arranged in the periods are eight in number and hence, their corresponding shell can hold a maximum of eight electrons.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the maximum number of electrons that a shell can hold is equal to the number of elements in their respective period.