Holmium (Ho): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Holmium (Ho) is element 67 of the periodic table, a lanthanide in period 6 (f-block). Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f11 6s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 29, 8, 2, and its standard atomic weight is 164.93 u.
▶ Watch Holmium’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableHolmium at a glance
| Symbol | Ho |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 67 |
| Atomic mass | 164.93 u |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| Group | f-block (no group number) |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | f-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f11 5s2 5p6 6s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f11 6s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 29, 8, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.23 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Holmium on the periodic table?
Holmium is in period 6 of the f-block, the lanthanide row printed below the main table. It has 6 electron shells, and this row is where the 4f subshell fills.
How to work out the electron configuration of Holmium
Put 67 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), 4f¹¹ (67). In shorthand, [Xe] stands for the 54 electrons of xenon, giving [Xe] 4f¹¹ 6s².
How electronegative is Holmium?
Holmium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.23, ranking 76 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 Holmium?
The electron configuration of Holmium (Ho) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f11 5s2 5p6 6s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Xe] 4f11 6s2.
How many electrons does Holmium have in each shell?
Holmium has 67 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 29, 8, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Holmium?
The standard atomic weight of Holmium is 164.93 u, so one mole of Holmium atoms has a mass of about 164.93 g.
Is Holmium a metal?
Yes. Holmium is a lanthanide.
Explore nearby elements
More lanthanides: Gadolinium, Terbium, Dysprosium, Erbium, Thulium, Ytterbium. See all elements on the periodic table.