Given the shell model of the atom, suggest a possible reason that Lewis proposed a maximum of two electrons for hydrogen and a maximum of eight electrons for carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and fluorine.

I think the question means 8 electrons for C, N, O, F in the outside shell. Two electrons in the 1st shell and it will be filled and 8 electrons in the 2nd shell and it will be filled. So F with 9 total gives 2 in the 1st shell and 7 in the 2nd shell. With just one more electron in the 2nd shell F can attain a stable configuration. That's why F occurs as F2.

To understand why Lewis proposed a maximum of two electrons for hydrogen and a maximum of eight electrons for carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and fluorine in the shell model of the atom, we need to look at the electron configurations of these elements and their positions in the periodic table. Here's how you can figure it out:

1. Determine the atomic number: The atomic number of an element tells us the number of protons in the nucleus and the number of electrons present in a neutral atom. For example, hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, carbon has an atomic number of 6, nitrogen has an atomic number of 7, oxygen has an atomic number of 8, and fluorine has an atomic number of 9.

2. Look at the electron configuration: The electron configuration describes how electrons are distributed in the energy levels or shells around the nucleus. For hydrogen, the electron configuration is 1s1, which means it has one electron in the 1s orbital. Carbon has an electron configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p2, nitrogen has an electron configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p3, oxygen has an electron configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p4, and fluorine has an electron configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p5.

3. Analyze the electron shells: In the shell model, electrons occupy specific energy levels or shells around the nucleus. The first shell (n = 1) can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, and subsequent shells can hold more electrons according to the formula 2n^2, where n is the shell number. For example, the second shell (n = 2) can hold a maximum of 2 x 2^2 = 8 electrons.

Based on this information, Lewis proposed that hydrogen can hold a maximum of two electrons because it has only one shell (n = 1) available, while carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and fluorine can hold a maximum of eight electrons because they have two shells (n = 1 and n = 2) available. This follows the pattern of electron distribution in the shell model and the guidelines of electron capacity for each shell.

Remember, Lewis's proposals were based on observations and experimental data available at the time, and they provided a simple way to understand and predict the chemical behavior of these elements.

hard to say, since Fluorine has nine electrons.

shell #n can hold up to 2n^2 electrons, so the shells hold 2,8,18,32, and so on