How many electrons can fill a p subshell?

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A p subshell can hold a maximum of 6 electrons.1

This capacity is determined by the quantum numbers associated with the subshell. For a p subshell, the orbital quantum number is l=1. According to the rules of atomic physics, there are 2l+1 distinct orbitals for a given subshell, which in this case results in three separate orbitals (2(1)+1=3). Because the Pauli exclusion principle dictates that each individual orbital can accommodate a maximum of two electrons with opposing spins, the three p orbitals together can hold a total of 6 electrons.1