Element 46 · Transition metal
Palladium (Pd) — Element 46
Asteroid Pallas
Palladium (Pd) is a transition metal in Period 5, Group 10 of the periodic table with atomic number 46, standard atomic weight 106.42 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Kr] 4d¹⁰. At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 10 valence electrons and common oxidation states +2, +4.
Catalysis, dentistry, hydrogen storage
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Palladium?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 46
- Standard atomic mass
- 106.42 u
- Chemical family
- Transition metal
- Ground-state configuration
- [Kr] 4d¹⁰
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 18
- Valence electrons
- 10
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- +2, +4
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 2.20 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 804 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 169 pm
- Melting point
- 1,555 °C
- Boiling point
- 2,963 °C
- Discovery year
- 1803
- Table coordinate
- Period 5, Group 10
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Palladium’s shells?
A neutral Palladium atom contains 46 electrons distributed across 4 occupied principal energy shells ([Kr] 4d¹⁰). The table below compares Palladium’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in Pd | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 8 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
| n = 3 | M | 18 e⁻ | 18 e⁻ |
| n = 4 | N | 18 e⁻ | 32 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Palladium (Pd)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Palladium (Pd)?
Palladium (Pd) has atomic number Z = 46 (46 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 106.42 u. It sits in Period 5, Group 10 and is classified as a transition metal.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Palladium?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Palladium (Z = 46) is [Kr] 4d¹⁰. Across its 4 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 4), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 18, 18, with 10 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Palladium?
Palladium commonly forms +2, +4 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 2.20 and its first ionization energy is 804 kJ/mol.
When was Palladium discovered and what is it used for?
Palladium was discovered in 1803 (Asteroid Pallas). Catalysis, dentistry, hydrogen storage
How does Palladium compare to neighboring elements?
Other transition metal elements: