Which option describes the structure of the electron shells in a neutral carbon atom?(1 point)ResponsesThe inner shell is complete with three electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with three electrons.The inner shell is complete with three electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with three electrons.The inner shell is complete with two electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with four electrons.The inner shell is complete with two electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with four electrons.The inner shell is complete with four electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with two electrons.The inner shell is complete with four electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with two electrons.The inner shell is incomplete with three electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with three electrons.

1 answer

In a neutral carbon atom, the atomic number is 6, meaning it has 6 electrons. The electron configuration for carbon is:

  • The inner shell (first shell) can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, and it is complete with 2 electrons.
  • The outer shell (second shell) can hold a maximum of 8 electrons, but in carbon, it has 4 electrons (as carbon has 4 valence electrons).

Therefore, the correct option that describes the structure of the electron shells in a neutral carbon atom is:

The inner shell is complete with two electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with four electrons.