Video Transcript
What is the maximum number of electrons that exist in an s subshell?
We can describe the most likely location of an electron in an atom using three-dimensional mathematical expressions called atomic orbitals. There are many different types of atomic orbitals, but the most common are s, p, d, and f. An s-type orbital is spherical in shape. There are three p-type orbitals. Each has two lobes of electron density, giving the orbital a dumbbell-like shape.
There are five d-type orbitals and seven f-type orbitals. But for simplicity, we won’t draw these orbitals here. Regardless of the type, shape, size, or orientation of an orbital, each orbital can only hold a maximum of two electrons. Orbitals of each type collectively make up a subshell. There’s one orbital in an s subshell, and the three p orbitals make up the p subshell.
With this background information in mind, let’s return to the question. We want to know the maximum number of electrons that exist in an s subshell. We know that an s subshell only contains one atomic orbital. And this atomic orbital can only contain a maximum of two electrons. So the maximum number of electrons that exist in an s subshell is two electrons.
