MCAT Chemical and Physical Foundations Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Guide

The p subshell can hold a maximum of six electrons. This is due to the structure of the p subshell, which contains three p orbitals. Each orbital can accommodate two electrons, one with a spin-up (↑) and one with a spin-down (↓). Thus, when you multiply the number of orbitals (3) by the maximum number of electrons that each orbital can hold (2), you arrive at a total of six electrons (3 orbitals x 2 electrons/orbital = 6 electrons).

Understanding subshell configurations is important for grasping concepts related to electron arrangements in atoms. The p subshell is notable because it follows the s subshell in energy levels and contributes to chemical bonding and properties.