How Many Electrons are in the n = 3 Shell of a Carbon Atom?

Answer: There are no electrons in the n = 3 shell of a carbon atom.

Explanation: The “n” represents the principal quantum number, which indicates the energy level or shell of an electron in an atom.

For carbon (C), which has an atomic number of 6, the electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p².

The first two electrons occupy the 1s and 2s subshells in the first and second energy levels (shells), respectively. There are no electrons in the 2p subshell of the n = 3 shell.

Read: Electron Configuration for Carbon (C, C4−): Full Guide

Significance: Understanding the distribution of electrons in different energy levels and subshells is essential for describing the electronic structure and chemical behavior of atoms.