Question

which of the following represents the correct arrangement of electrons in an atom that contains 16 electrons? electron shells 1 2 3 a. 2 11 3 b. 4 8 4 c. 2 8 6 d. 2 6 8 a 2 6 8 b 2 11 3 c 4 8 4 d 2 8 6

Explanation:

Step1: Check electron - shell capacity

The first electron shell can hold a maximum of \(2\) electrons. So options b (first shell has \(4\) electrons) is incorrect.

Step2: Check the second - shell capacity

The second electron shell can hold a maximum of \(8\) electrons. Option a has \(11\) electrons in the second shell, which is incorrect. Option d has \(6\) electrons in the second shell, but we should fill the second shell to its maximum capacity (\(8\)) before moving to the third shell.

Step3: Calculate the total number of electrons

For option c: \(2 + 8+6=16\) electrons. The first shell (\(2\) electrons), second shell (\(8\) electrons) and third shell (\(6\) electrons) follow the electron - filling rules (fill inner shells first and each shell has a maximum capacity: \(n = 1\) shell: \(2\) electrons; \(n=2\) shell: \(8\) electrons; \(n = 3\) shell: can start filling after \(n = 1\) and \(n=2\) are filled as much as possible)

Answer:

D. 2, 8, 6