Energy levels and shells
What Energy levels and shells means in Combined Science GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Energy levels and shells
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Reference: AQA
Levels around the nucleus that hold up to 2 electrons in the first, 8 in the second, 8 in the third and up to 2 in the fourth for the first 20 elements.
The regions electrons occupy, with the lowest available filled first so the innermost available shells fill before the next begins.
Topics that use Energy levels and shells
- Electronic structure (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- Periodic table groups
- Electron configuration notation
- Electronic structure
- Links to group and ion formation
- Shell diagrams
Using Energy levels and shells in the exam
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