Lead Electron Configuration
Orbital diagram
- Valence electrons
- 4
- Unpaired electrons
- 2
- Block
- p-block
- Magnetism (atom)
- paramagnetic
Electrons per shell
| K (n = 1) | 2 |
|---|---|
| L (n = 2) | 8 |
| M (n = 3) | 18 |
| N (n = 4) | 32 |
| O (n = 5) | 18 |
| P (n = 6) | 4 |
Lead ion configurations
| Ion | Electrons | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Pb2+ | 80 | [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 |
| Pb4+ | 78 | [Xe] 4f14 5d10 |
How to write it
Place 82 electrons into subshells in the Aufbau order (1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p), filling s with 2, p with 6, d with 10 and f with 14. Lead sits in period 6, group 14, in the p-block, so its last electron enters a p subshell. Replacing the inner electrons with the previous noble gas gives the shorthand [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p2.
Try lead and its ions in the calculator, or see the full lead data sheet.
Lead electron configuration FAQ
What is the electron configuration of lead?
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p². Shorthand (noble gas) notation: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p².
What is the noble gas configuration of lead?
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p². The bracket stands for the Xe core electrons.
How many valence electrons does lead have?
4 (outer shell (n = 6)).
How many unpaired electrons does lead have?
2 in the ground state, following Hund’s rule. An atom with unpaired electrons is paramagnetic.
What is the electron configuration of Pb2+?
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² (80 electrons).
What is the electron configuration of Pb4+?
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ (78 electrons).