Why can a total of 18 electrons can be placed in the 3rd energy level?

1 Answer
Meave60
Sep 25, 2016

The total number of electrons possible in the sublevels of the 3rd energy level is 18.

Explanation:

The third energy level, n=3, contains the 3s, 3p, and 3d sublevels. The maximum number of electrons in the 3s sublevel is two, the maximum number of electrons in the 3p subsevel is six, and the maximum number of electrons in the 3d sublevel is ten. So #2+6+10=8#.

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