Understanding Electron Energy Levels: The Second Energy Level
The second energy level, determined by the principal quantum number (n = 2), accommodates a maximum of 8 electrons. This is governed by the Pauli exclusion principle (no same sets of quantum numbers) and Hund’s rule (single occupancy before pairing). Electrons fill orbitals of increasing energy (Aufbau principle). The second level comprises three sublevels (s,…