The first energy level can hold 2 electrons.

Quick Scoop: Short Answer

  • Maximum electrons in the first energy level (n = 1): 2 electrons.
  • This level only has one orbital (the 1s orbital), and each orbital can hold 2 electrons.

So if you’re thinking of the very first “shell” around the nucleus, once it has 2 electrons, that level is full.

TL;DR: The first energy level can hold a maximum of 2 electrons.

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