The correct option is D Both assertion and reason are correct and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion
A shell can have maximum 2n2 electrons.
Here, K-shell is the 1st shell and L-shell is the 2nd shell.
That is; For K-shell, n=1, 2 x 12=2
And for L-shell, n=2, 2 x 22=8
K-shell and L-shell can have maximum 2 and 8 electrons respectively.
Helium atom has 2 electrons and both these electrons are placed in the K-shell.
Lithium atom has 3 electrons; 2 in K-shell and 1 in L-shell.
Thus, the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.