What is shell and subshell in simple words?

Shell and Subshell Simple Explanation

What is a shell in chemistry?

SHELLS

Electrons revolve around the nucleus in a particular circular pattern known as the shell of an atom.

The electron shell is also known as orbit or energy level.

Shell Representation

It is denoted by n. Where n is any positive integer.

electronic shells
electronic shells

Each shell has a fixed amount of energy.

n=1 is known as K-Shell

n=2 is known as L-Shell

n=3 is known as M-shell

Finding the maximum number of electrons in any shell Formula

The maximum number of electrons in any shell can be found by using the Bohr filling formula=2n2

What is meant by sub-shells?

SUB-SHELLS

A shell or energy level is further divided into sub-shells. A subshell is defined as ( The region where the probability of finding an electron is maximum in the orbit is termed as a subshell.) The n value of a shell is written before the symbol of a sub-shell.

EXAMPLES

  • For n=1, K-shell contains only one sub-shell 1s
  • For n=2, L-shell contains two sub-shells represented as 2s,2p
  • For n=3, M-shell contains three sub-shells represented as 3s,3p,3d
  • For n=4, N-shell contains four sub-shells represented as 4s,4p,4d,4f

Maximum electrons in a subshell

  • S subshell can accommodate a maximum of 2 electrons
  • P subshell can accommodate a maximum of 6 electrons
  • D subshell can accommodate a maximum of 10 electrons
  • F subshell can accommodate a maximum of 14 electrons
maximum electrons in shells and subshells
maximum electrons in shells and subshells

Distinguish between shell and subshell

Shell (Energy level or Orbit)Sub-shell (Sub-Energy level)
The circular path that electrons take around the nucleus is known as their shell or orbit.A shell or energy level is further subdivided into subshells or sub-energy levels.
  Each shell is specified (represent) by n value n = 1,2,3,4,5,……………….  Each sub-shell is specified by the l value. L = 0,1,2,3,4, …..
N= 1 ( K shell) N=2  (L shell) N= 3 (M shell) N=4 (N shell)   K shell -> s subshell  L shell -> s, p subshells M shell -> s, p, d subshells N shell -> s, p, d, f subshell 
Using formula 2n2 to determine the total number of electrons in a shell.   n= 1 ( K shell) 2 (1)2 = 2e n=2  (L shell)  2 (2)2 = 8e n= 3 (M shell)  2 (3)2 = 18e n=4 (N shell)   2 (4)2 = 32e  Number of sub-shells in a shell = value of “n”     s = 2e p= = 6e d== 10e f = 14e

Q.What are energy shells in chemistry?

There is a specific amount of energy tied to the energy shell. The energy associated with an orbit increases with the orbit’s separation from the nucleus. The energy level is also the name of these shells.

Q.How many subshells are there in N subshell?

The number of sub-shells within a shell = “n” value.

It indicates that there are four subshells named 4s,4p,4d, and 4f for the N shell.

Q. Provide notation for subshells of M shell?

The number of sub-shells within a shell = “n” value.

It indicates that the M shell has three subshells designated 3s, 3p, and 3d.

Q.State Aufbau principle.

AUFBAU PRINCIPLE

Named after the German phrase “Aufbau,” which means “to build up,”

According to the Aufbau principle, electrons will first occupy lower-energy orbitals before moving on to those with higher energies.


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