In my textbook, it says that the maximum number of electrons that can fit in any given shell is given by 2n². This would mean 2 electrons could fit in the first shell, 8 could fit in the second shell, 18 in the third shell, and 32 in the fourth shell.
However, I was previously taught that the maximum number of electrons in the first orbital is 2, 8 in the second orbital, 8 in the third shell, 18 in the fourth orbital, 18 in the fifth orbital, 32 in the sixth orbital. I am fairly sure that orbitals and shells are the same thing.
Which of these two methods is correct and should be used to find the number of electrons in an orbital?
I am in high school so please try to simplify your answer and use fairly basic terms.
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