The third energy level of an atom holds a maximum of 18 electrons. How are electrons divided into orbitals within the third energy level? The third energy level can hold 2 electrons in an s orbital, 4 electrons in a p orbital, and 12 electrons in a d orbital. The third energy level can hold 2 electrons in an s orbital, 4 electrons in a p orbital, and 12 electrons in a d orbital. The third energy level can hold 2 electrons in an s orbital, 1 electron in each of the six p orbital subtypes, and 1 electron in each of the ten d orbital subtypes. The third energy level can hold 2 electrons in an s orbital, 1 electron in each of the six p orbital subtypes, and 1 electron in each of the ten d orbital subtypes. The third energy level can hold 2 electrons in an s orbital, 6 electrons a p orbital, and 10 electrons in a d orbital. The third energy level can hold 2 electrons in an s orbital, 6 electrons a p orbital, and 10 electrons in a d orbital. The third energy level can hold 2 electrons in an s orbital, 2 electrons in each of the three p orbital subtypes, and 2 electrons in each of the five d orbital subtypes. The third energy level can hold 2 electrons in an s orbital, 2 electrons in each of the three p orbital subtypes, and 2 electrons in each of the five d orbital subtypes.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The third energy level of an atom can hold a maximum of 18 electrons, and the electrons are distributed across the orbitals within this energy level. These orbitals are organized into s, p, and d orbitals, with specific capacities for each type.
- S Orbitals: Each energy level can have one s orbital. An s orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons. Therefore, in the third energy level, the s orbital will hold 2 electrons.
- P Orbitals: Each energy level can also have three p orbitals, corresponding to the p_x, p_y, and p_z orbitals. A single p orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, so the three p orbitals together can hold a maximum of 6 electrons. In the third energy level, these 6 electrons are distributed across the three p orbitals.
- D Orbitals: The third energy level contains five d orbitals. Each d orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, so the d orbitals together can hold a maximum of 10 electrons. This makes the total capacity for the d orbitals in the third energy level 10 electrons.
Thus, the third energy level can hold:
- 2 electrons in the s orbital,
- 6 electrons in the p orbitals, and
- 10 electrons in the d orbitals.
Therefore, the correct distribution of electrons across the orbitals in the third energy level is:
- 2 electrons in the s orbital,
- 6 electrons in the p orbitals, and
- 10 electrons in the d orbitals.
The total of these electrons is 18, which is the maximum capacity for the third energy level. This arrangement is consistent with the Aufbau principle, which states that electrons fill orbitals from lowest to highest energy.
