83BiBismuth208.980401[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p³
post-transition metal

Bismuth

Bismuth is a chemical element with symbol Bi and atomic number 83. Bismuth, a pentavalent post-transition metal, chemically resembles arsenic and antimony. Elemental bismuth may occur naturally, although its sulfide and oxide form important commercial ores.

Electronic structure

A stylized shell model. Electrons are quantum objects, not particles following these literal paths. Sizes and motion are illustrative.

Electrons by shell
Electron configuration
4f14
5d10
6s2
6p3

54 is the [Xe] core total across five shells.

Properties

At a glance

Atomic number
83
Atomic mass
208.980401 u
Phase
Solid
Density
9.78 g/cm³
Melting point
544.7 K
Boiling point
1,837 K
First ionization energy
703 kJ/mol
Electronegativity
2.02
Electron affinity
90.924 kJ/mol
Molar heat capacity
25.52 J/(mol·K)
Period
6
Appearance
lustrous silver

Conditions and isotopes affect measured properties. Some properties of short-lived elements are predicted. Electronegativity uses the Pauling scale.

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