The maximum number of electrons allowed in a 2p orbital is 6.
This is because each p orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, and there are three p orbitals (designated as px, py, and pz) in the second energy level (n=2). Therefore, the calculation goes as follows:
- Each of the three p orbitals can hold 2 electrons: 3 orbitals × 2 electrons/orbital = 6 electrons.
This rule is based on the Pauli Exclusion Principle, which states that no two electrons can have the same set of quantum numbers, and the fact that each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins.