<P> Each shell can contain only a fixed number of electrons : The first shell can hold up to two electrons , the second shell can hold up to eight ( 2 + 6 ) electrons , the third shell can hold up to 18 ( 2 + 6 + 10 ) and so on . The general formula is that the nth shell can in principle hold up to 2 ( n ) electrons . Since electrons are electrically attracted to the nucleus , an atom 's electrons will generally occupy outer shells only if the more inner shells have already been completely filled by other electrons . However , this is not a strict requirement : atoms may have two or even three incomplete outer shells . ( See Madelung rule for more details . ) For an explanation of why electrons exist in these shells see electron configuration . </P>
<P> Each shell can contain only a fixed number of electrons : The first shell can hold up to two electrons , the second shell can hold up to eight ( 2 + 6 ) electrons , the third shell can hold up to 18 ( 2 + 6 + 10 ) and so on . The general formula is that the nth shell can in principle hold up to 2 ( n ) electrons . Since electrons are electrically attracted to the nucleus , an atom 's electrons will generally occupy outer shells only if the more inner shells have already been completely filled by other electrons . However , this is not a strict requirement : atoms may have two or even three incomplete outer shells . ( See Madelung rule for more details . ) For an explanation of why electrons exist in these shells see electron configuration . </P>
what is the maximum number of electrons in the first energy shell of an atom
what is the maximum number of electrons in the first energy shell of an atom
two electrons
two electrons