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Which option describes the structure of the electron shells in a neutral carbon atom?

A) The inner shell is incomplete with three electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with three electrons.
B) The inner shell is complete with four electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with two electrons.
C) The inner shell is complete with three electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with three electrons.
D) The inner shell is complete with two electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with four electrons.

1 answer

The correct option describing the structure of the electron shells in a neutral carbon atom is:

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

A neutral carbon atom has a total of 6 electrons. The first shell can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, and the second shell can hold up to 8 electrons. In a carbon atom, the configuration of the electrons is 2 in the inner shell and 4 in the outer shell (1s² 2s² 2p²).