Why are the electronic configuration numbers the way they are? 2,8,18,32 ...so on- how were they determined?

Please right the answer for kids

1 Answer
Feb 15, 2018

Bohr's Model.

Explanation:

As Niels Bohr suggested that electrons will Fill up the shells according to the principal quantum number.

So, for K shell, the principal quantum number(n) is 1.

So, maximum electrons which can fill the cells are 2n^2 = 2(1)^2 = 2.

For L shell, maximum electrons = 2(2)^2 = 8

For M shell, maximum electrons = 2(3)^2 = 18

For N shell, maximum electrons = 2(4)^2 = 32

And So On.

But this doesn't mean that electrons will fill up from K to L.

It depends upon Azimuthal Quantum Number and Aufbau Principle.

Hope this helps.