How many total electrons can the p subshell hold?

The p subshell can hold a total of 6 electrons. This is because the p subshell consists of three p orbitals, and each orbital can accommodate a maximum of 2 electrons due to the Pauli exclusion principle. Therefore, the calculation is straightforward: 3 orbitals multiplied by 2 electrons per orbital equals 6 electrons.

The configuration of the p subshell can be visualized as follows: there are three orientations for the p orbitals, typically denoted as px, py, and pz. Each of these can host two electrons of opposite spins, leading to the total of 6 for the subshell. This is a fundamental principle in understanding how electrons are arranged around an atom and how they occupy the various subshells within energy levels.