STEP-BY-STEP EXPLANATION:
Firstly, we need to know the atomic number of silicon.
The atomic number of silicon is 14
The next thing is to write the electronic configuration of silicon
[tex]_{14}Si=1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^2[/tex]From the electronic configuration, we will observe that there are 4 valence electrons at the outermost shell of the atom.
Each shell represents the energy level of the atom.
Using the KLMN notation, there is a general formula used for calculating the energy level
The KLMN configuration indicates the number of electrons an atom has with each principal quantum number (n)
• K means the first shell or the first energy level
,• L means the second shell or the second energy level
,• M means the third shell or the third energy level
,• N means the fourth shell or the fourth energy level
The general formula for calculating the number of electrons in each energy level is given below
[tex]\begin{gathered} 2n^2 \\ \text{where n is the principal quantum number} \end{gathered}[/tex]For K - shell
let n = 1
[tex]\begin{gathered} 2(1)^2 \\ 2\cdot\text{ 1} \\ =\text{ 2} \end{gathered}[/tex]This implies that the maximum number of electrons that can enter the K-shell is 2 electrons
For L -shell
let n = 2
[tex]\begin{gathered} 2(2)^2 \\ =\text{ 2 }\cdot\text{ 4} \\ =\text{ 8} \end{gathered}[/tex]This implies that the maximum number of electrons that can enter the L - shell is 8 electrons
When you follow the process for n = 3 and n = 4
[tex]\begin{gathered} M\text{ - shell} \\ n\text{ = 3} \\ =2(3)^2 \\ =\text{ 2 }\cdot\text{ 9} \\ =\text{ 18} \end{gathered}[/tex][tex]\begin{gathered} N-\text{ shell} \\ n\text{ = 4} \\ =2(4)^2 \\ =\text{ 2 }\cdot\text{ 16} \\ =\text{ 32} \end{gathered}[/tex]Then, M shell has maximum electrons of 18 while N- shell has maximum electrons of 32.
Hence, 4 electrons are arranged in the third energy level of silicon as indicated in the structure above.
