Tin (Sn): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Tin (Sn): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p2 · group 14 · period 5 · Ar 118.71
Tin data
- Atomic number
- 50
- Relative atomic mass
- 118.71
- Group
- 14
- Period
- 5
- Block
- p
- Category
- Post-transition metal
- Electron configuration
- [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p2
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p2
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 18, 4 (K L M N O)
- Valence electrons
- 4
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.96
- First ionisation energy
- 7.344 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 217 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 232 °C
- Boiling point
- 2602 °C
- Density
- 7.287 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +4, +2
- Discovered
- ancient times
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 18 · O 4
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About tin
Tin, symbol Sn, is element number 50 in the periodic table. It is a post-transition metal in group 14, period 5, p-block. Tin has been known and used since ancient times. The symbol Sn comes from the Latin stannum. Tin is a solid at room temperature, melting at 232 °C and boiling at 2602 °C.
Tin electron configuration
The electron configuration of tin is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p2, or in short [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p2. Its electrons occupy 5 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 18, O = 4. Tin has 4 valence electrons in the O shell (5s2 5p2), which is why it sits in group 14. When it forms cations, electrons leave the outermost subshell first: Sn2+ = [Kr] 5s2 4d10; Sn4+ = [Kr] 4d10.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 5s2(38) → 4d10(48) → 5p2(50)
Uses of tin
Well-known applications of tin include solder, tinplate cans, bronze and organotin compounds; Indonesia is a leading tin producer from Bangka Belitung. For research and analysis you can browse tin compounds in the AMI Scientific catalogue.
Safety
Tin metal is generally safe to handle, but avoid breathing its dust and read the SDS before using Tin compounds. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other elements in group 14
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of tin?
The electron configuration of tin (Sn, atomic number 50) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p2, or [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p2 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 18, 4.
How many valence electrons does tin have?
Tin has 4 valence electrons.
Which group and period is tin in?
Tin is in group 14, period 5, p-block.
What is the atomic mass of tin?
The relative atomic mass of tin is 118.71. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
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