Element 50 · Post-transition metal
Tin (Sn) — Element 50
Anglo-Saxon tin
Tin (Sn) is a post-transition metal in Period 5, Group 14 of the periodic table with atomic number 50, standard atomic weight 118.71 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p². At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 4 valence electrons and common oxidation states +2, +4.
Solder, bronze, food cans
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Tin?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 50
- Standard atomic mass
- 118.71 u
- Chemical family
- Post-transition metal
- Ground-state configuration
- [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p²
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 18, 4
- Valence electrons
- 4
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- +2, +4
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 1.96 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 709 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 145 pm
- Melting point
- 232 °C
- Boiling point
- 2,602 °C
- Discovery year
- Ancient
- Table coordinate
- Period 5, Group 14
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Tin’s shells?
A neutral Tin atom contains 50 electrons distributed across 5 occupied principal energy shells ([Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p²). The table below compares Tin’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in Sn | 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⁻ |
| n = 5 | O | 4 e⁻ | 50 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Tin (Sn)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Tin (Sn)?
Tin (Sn) has atomic number Z = 50 (50 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 118.71 u. It sits in Period 5, Group 14 and is classified as a post-transition metal.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Tin?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Tin (Z = 50) is [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p². Across its 5 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 5), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 18, 18, 4, with 4 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Tin?
Tin commonly forms +2, +4 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 1.96 and its first ionization energy is 709 kJ/mol.
When was Tin discovered and what is it used for?
Tin was discovered in Ancient (Anglo-Saxon tin). Solder, bronze, food cans
How does Tin compare to neighboring elements?
Other post-transition metal elements: