Tin 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) | 18 |
| O (n = 5) | 4 |
Tin ion configurations
| Ion | Electrons | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Sn2+ | 48 | [Kr] 4d10 5s2 |
| Sn4+ | 46 | [Kr] 4d10 |
How to write it
Place 50 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. Tin sits in period 5, 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 [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p2.
Try tin and its ions in the calculator, or see the full tin data sheet.
Tin electron configuration FAQ
What is the electron configuration of tin?
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p². Shorthand (noble gas) notation: [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p².
What is the noble gas configuration of tin?
[Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p². The bracket stands for the Kr core electrons.
How many valence electrons does tin have?
4 (outer shell (n = 5)).
How many unpaired electrons does tin have?
2 in the ground state, following Hund’s rule. An atom with unpaired electrons is paramagnetic.
What is the electron configuration of Sn2+?
[Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² (48 electrons).
What is the electron configuration of Sn4+?
[Kr] 4d¹⁰ (46 electrons).