TiTitanium
50Sn118.710

Tin

Post-transition metals · solid at STP · Block P

About

Tin is a silvery, malleable post-transition metal that resists corrosion from water. It is best known as a component of bronze, an alloy with copper, which was so significant it defined the Bronze Age. Today, its main use is in tin plating steel cans to prevent food spoilage and as a primary component of lead-free solder used to join electronic components.

Atomic Properties

Atomic Number50
Atomic Weight118.71 u
Neutrons (common)70
Electron Configuration[Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p²
Full Configuration1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p²
Electrons per Shell2, 8, 18, 18, 4
Electronegativity1.96
Electron Affinity107.3 kJ/mol
Oxidation States+4, +2
Covalent Radius141 pm
Van der Waals Radius217 pm
Ionic Radius69 pm

Periodic Table Position

Group14
Period5
BlockP
Chemical SeriesPost-transition metals

Physical Properties

State at STPsolid
AppearanceSilvery-white (beta, β) or gray (alpha, α) solid
Crystal Structuretetragonal
Magnetic Orderingdiamagnetic
Speed of Sound2,730 m/s
Poisson Ratio0.36

Thermal Properties

Melting Point505.08 K
Boiling Point2,875 K
Triple Point505.08 K
Thermal Expansion0 1/K
Thermal Conductivity66.8 W/(m·K)
Specific Heat0.227 J/(g·K)
Molar Heat27.11 J/(mol·K)
Heat of Fusion7.03 kJ/mol
Heat of Vaporization296.1 kJ/mol

Abundance

In Earth's Crust2.3 ppm
In Ocean0 ppm
In Solar System0.02 ppm
In Human Body0.2 ppm
In Universe0.004 ppm

Discovery

Discovered byAncient civilizations
Discovery YearKnown since antiquity
Occurrenceprimordial
CAS Number7440-31-5

Electron Configuration

Energy
1s
2s
2p
3s
3p
4s
3d
4p
5s
4d
5p
6s
4f
5d
6p
7s
5f
6d
7p

Isotopes of Tin

Symbol Mass (u) Abundance Half-life Decay Mode
112Sn111.9048200.97%StableStable
114Sn113.9027800.66%StableStable
115Sn114.9033500.34%StableStable
116Sn115.90174014.54%StableStable
117Sn116.9029507.68%StableStable
118Sn117.90161024.22%StableStable
119Sn118.9033108.59%StableStable
120Sn119.90220032.58%StableStable
122Sn121.9034404.63%StableStable
124Sn123.9052705.79%StableStable
126Sn125.907650230 kyBeta Minus Decay

Interactive Visualization

Explore the 3D Bohr model of Tin in our interactive viewer.

View 3D Model of Tin