1s orbital makes up energy level 1 which can hold 2 electrons as we know
2s and 2p orbital makes up energy level 2 which can hold 8 electrons as we know
3s orbital….??
3p, 4s and 3d orbitals make up energy level 3 which can hold 18 electrons as we know
Hence, we have 2 electrons on the first energy level, 8 electrons on the second energy level, and 18 electrons on the third energy level, based on our knowledge about orbitals and how each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons. Got it. But…how does the 3s orbital participate in this? It doesn’t seem to participate in anything. I’ll insert a picture to further demonstrate what I mean