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50 Sn Tin 118.7107

Tin

POST-TRANSITION METAL
Bohr Model: Electrons arranged in energy shells around the nucleus.

Tin is a chemical element with the symbol Sn (for Latin:stannum) and atomic number 50. It is a main group metal in group 14 of the periodic table. Tin shows a chemical similarity to both neighboring group-14 elements, germanium and lead, and has two possible oxidation states, +2 and the slightly more stable +4.

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Quick Facts

Atomic Number 50
Period 5
Group 14
Phase Solid
Appearance silvery-white (beta, β) or gray (alpha, α)
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 unknown, before 3500 BC
Named By Unknown

Physical Properties

Atomic Mass 118.7107
Density 7.365 g/L
Molar Heat 27.112 J/(mol·K)
Phase Transition (Melting & Boiling Points)

Tin melts at 505.08 K and boils at 2875 K.

Atomic Properties

Electron Config [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p2
Electronegativity 1.96
Electron Affinity 107.2984 kJ/mol
Ionization Energy 708.6 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

Image of Tin Source: Wikipedia

External Resources

Wikipedia PubChem Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Videos (YouTube)

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.