Berkelium (Bk): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Berkelium (Bk) is element 97 of the periodic table, an actinide in period 7 (f-block). Its electron configuration is [Rn] 5f9 7s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 32, 27, 8, 2, and its most stable isotope has mass number 247.
▶ Watch Berkelium’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableBerkelium at a glance
| Symbol | Bk |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 97 |
| Atomic mass | [247] u (most stable isotope) |
| Category | Actinide |
| Group | f-block (no group number) |
| Period | 7 |
| Block | f-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 5f9 6s2 6p6 7s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Rn] 5f9 7s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 27, 8, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.3 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Berkelium on the periodic table?
Berkelium is in period 7 of the f-block, the actinide row printed below the main table. It has 7 electron shells, and this row is where the 5f subshell fills.
How to work out the electron configuration of Berkelium
Put 97 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d¹⁰ (30), 4p⁶ (36), 5s² (38), 4d¹⁰ (48), 5p⁶ (54), 6s² (56), 4f¹⁴ (70), 5d¹⁰ (80), 6p⁶ (86), 7s² (88), 5f⁹ (97). In shorthand, [Rn] stands for the 86 electrons of radon, giving [Rn] 5f⁹ 7s².
How electronegative is Berkelium?
Berkelium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.3, ranking 62 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is low: it tends to give up electrons and form positive ions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Berkelium?
The electron configuration of Berkelium (Bk) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 5f9 6s2 6p6 7s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Rn] 5f9 7s2.
How many electrons does Berkelium have in each shell?
Berkelium has 97 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 27, 8, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Berkelium?
Berkelium has no stable isotopes. Its most stable isotope has a mass number of 247.
Is Berkelium a metal?
Yes. Berkelium is an actinide.
Explore nearby elements
More actinides: Plutonium, Americium, Curium, Californium, Einsteinium, Fermium. See all elements on the periodic table.