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How many electron shells does a neutral carbon atom possess?
A
2
B
4
C
3
D
1
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1
Recall that the number of electron shells in an atom corresponds to the principal quantum number (n) of the highest energy level occupied by electrons.
Determine the atomic number of carbon, which is 6, meaning a neutral carbon atom has 6 electrons.
Fill the electron shells in order of increasing energy: the first shell (n=1) can hold up to 2 electrons, and the second shell (n=2) can hold up to 8 electrons.
Distribute the 6 electrons of carbon starting from the first shell: 2 electrons fill the first shell, and the remaining 4 electrons go into the second shell.
Conclude that since electrons occupy up to the second shell, a neutral carbon atom has 2 electron shells.