Bismuth (Bi): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Bismuth (Bi) is element 83 of the periodic table, a post-transition metal in period 6, group 15. Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 5, and its standard atomic weight is 208.98 u.
▶ Watch Bismuth’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableBismuth at a glance
| Symbol | Bi |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 83 |
| Atomic mass | 208.98 u |
| Category | Post-transition metal |
| Group | 15 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | p-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p3 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 5 |
| Outer-shell electrons | 5 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.02 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Bismuth on the periodic table?
Bismuth is in period 6, group 15, in the p-block. The period number matches its 6 electron shells, and the block names the subshell its last electrons fill. In the same group, Antimony sits directly above it and Moscovium sits directly below it. Elements in one group have the same number of outer-shell electrons (5 here), which is why they react in similar ways.
How to work out the electron configuration of Bismuth
Put 83 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), 6p³ (83). In shorthand, [Xe] stands for the 54 electrons of xenon, giving [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p³.
How electronegative is Bismuth?
Bismuth has a Pauling electronegativity of 2.02, ranking 30 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is in the middle of the range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Bismuth?
The electron configuration of Bismuth (Bi) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p3. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3.
How many electrons does Bismuth have in each shell?
Bismuth has 83 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 5. It has 5 electrons in its outer shell.
What is the atomic mass of Bismuth?
The standard atomic weight of Bismuth is 208.98 u, so one mole of Bismuth atoms has a mass of about 208.98 g.
Is Bismuth a metal?
Yes. Bismuth is a post-transition metal.
Explore nearby elements
More post-transition metals: Thallium, Lead, Polonium, Nihonium, Flerovium, Moscovium. See all elements on the periodic table.