If a shell can hold a maximum of 32 electrons, what is the value of n?

Begin by classifying which energy level, and indirectly principal quantum number, n, resembles to the N shell. no. of orbitals =n2 In your case, the fourth energy level will contain n=4⇒no. of orbitals= 4^2=16 The number of subshells is given by the principal quantum number. no. of subshells=n In your case, the fourth energy level will have no. of subshells = 4 this is the answer to check: the fourth energy shell will can hold a thoroughgoing of no. of electrons=2⋅42=32 e−