Bismuth
POST-TRANSITION METAL
Bohr Model: Electrons arranged in energy shells around the nucleus.
Bismuth is a chemical element with symbol Bi and atomic number 83. Bismuth, a pentavalent post-transition metal, chemically resembles arsenic and antimony. Elemental bismuth may occur naturally, although its sulfide and oxide form important commercial ores.
Quick Facts
Atomic Number 83
Period 6
Group 15
Phase Solid
Appearance lustrous silver
About Post-Transition Metals
Transition metals are elements with partially filled d-orbitals. They are hard, have high melting points, and often form colored compounds.
History
Discovered By Claude François Geoffroy
Named By Unknown
Physical Properties
Atomic Mass 208.980401
Density 9.78 g/L
Molar Heat 25.52 J/(mol·K)
Phase Transition (Melting & Boiling Points)
Bismuth melts at 544.7 K and boils at 1837 K.
Atomic Properties
Electron Config [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3
Electronegativity 2.02
Electron Affinity 90.924 kJ/mol
Ionization Energy 703 kJ/mol
Orbital Filling Diagram
This diagram visualizes electron configuration according to the Aufbau principle and Hund's rule.
Boxes represent orbitals (s, p, d, f), while arrows indicate electrons with spin up or down.
Electrons fill lower energy levels first and occupy orbitals singly before pairing.
Photograph
External Resources
Study Guide
Atomic Number
The number of protons in the nucleus, which defines the element.
Atomic Mass
The average mass of an atom, including protons and neutrons.
Electronegativity
A measure of how strongly an atom attracts electrons in a bond.
Ionization Energy
The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.
Electron Config
The arrangement of electrons in the atom's energy shells.