The number of electrons in the K. L. \(M\) and \(N-\) shells of calcium are respectively
A. \(2,8,8,2\) B. \(2,2,8,8\) C. \(2,8,2,8\) D. \(8,8,2,2\)
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
K-shells contain maximum of 2-electron, \(L\) shells can only contain maximum of 8 electrons M-shells contain maximum of 18 electrons, \(N\) - contains 32 electrons. Calcium with atomic number 20 shows that electrons are added to a shell until a stable duplet (for the K-shell) and an octet for L-shells. The increase in the number of electron result in the electrons occupying the shell with next highest energy levelso calcium has \(2,8,8,2\)