Question

question 8 of 10
what does the period number tell about the energy levels occupied by
electrons in an atom?

a. the period number tells how many electrons are in each sublevel
of the atom.

b. the period number tells how many electrons are in the highest
energy level of the atom.

c. the period number tells which is the highest energy level occupied
by the electrons.

d. the period number tells how many energy sublevels are occupied
in the atom.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The period number does not relate to the number of electrons in each sublevel. Sublevel electron counts follow other rules (e.g., s - 2, p - 6, etc.).
• Option B: The period number is not about the number of electrons in the highest energy level (that's related to group number for main - group elements in a way, but not period).
• Option C: In the periodic table, the period number of an element is equal to the principal quantum number (n) of the highest energy level that contains electrons in the atom. For example, elements in period 3 have electrons in energy level n = 3 as the highest occupied energy level.
• Option D: The period number is not related to the number of energy sublevels occupied. The number of sublevels in an energy level is related to the principal quantum number (e.g., n = 1 has 1 sublevel, n = 2 has 2 sublevels, etc.), but the period number is about the highest energy level, not the number of sublevels.

Answer:

C. The period number tells which is the highest energy level occupied by the electrons.