Which subshell can hold a maximum of 14 electrons?

The f subshell is capable of holding a maximum of 14 electrons due to its unique structure and orbital capacity. Each subshell is made up of a specific number of orbitals, and each orbital can hold 2 electrons.

For the f subshell, there are 7 orbitals. This is calculated as follows: each type of subshell has a set number of orbitals—s has 1 orbital, p has 3, d has 5, and f has 7. Since each orbital can accommodate 2 electrons, when you multiply the number of orbitals in the f subshell (7) by the number of electrons per orbital (2), you get:

7 orbitals × 2 electrons/orbital = 14 electrons.

This capacity of 14 electrons makes the f subshell distinct from the others listed, which have lower maximum electron capacities. The s subshell can hold up to 2 electrons, the p subshell holds 6 electrons, and the d subshell can contain 10 electrons, illustrating the increasing complexity and capacity of electron holding as you move from s to f subshells. Thus, the f subshell's ability to hold 14 electrons is a direct consequence of its 7