What is the maximum number of electrons allowed in the second shell of electrons?

The second shell of electrons, also known as the second energy level or shell (n=2), can hold a maximum of 8 electrons. This is derived from the formula for calculating the maximum number of electrons in a given shell, which is given by (2n^2), where (n) is the principal quantum number of the shell. For the second shell, (n=2), so calculating yields (2(2^2) = 2(4) = 8).

This capacity of 8 electrons corresponds to the distribution of electrons into the s and p sublevels of the second shell. The s sublevel can hold 2 electrons, while the p sublevel can hold 6 electrons, totaling 8 for the second shell. Understanding this is crucial as it forms the basis for organizing electrons in various elements and contributes to understanding chemical bonding and electronic configurations.