Antimony (Sb)
Antimony compounds are widely used as flame retardants in plastics and textiles.
Antimony properties
- Atomic mass
- 121.76 u
- Category
- Metalloid
- Group
- 15
- Period
- 5
- Block
- p-block
- State at room temp.
- Solid
- Electronegativity
- 2.05
- Melting point
- 903.78 K (630.6 °C)
- Boiling point
- 1,908 K (1,634.8 °C)
- Density
- 6.697 g/cm³
- Oxidation states
- +5, +3, −3
- Atomic radius
- 206 pm
- Ionization energy
- 8.64 eV
- Electron affinity
- 1.07 eV
- Radioactive
- No, has stable isotopes
- Discovered
- Ancient
Antimony electron configuration
- Electron configuration
- [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p3
- Full electron configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p3
- Electron shells
- 2 · 8 · 18 · 18 · 5
The electron configuration of Antimony (Sb) is [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p3. Its 51 electrons are arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 18, 5.
Protons, neutrons and electrons in Antimony
A neutral Antimony atom has 51 protons and 51 electrons. Most Antimony atoms have about 71 neutrons: the atomic mass rounded to 122, minus the atomic number 51.
Neutrons are approximate: atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons (isotopes). Atomic number and mass
How many valence electrons does Antimony have?
5
Antimony has 5 valence electrons in its outermost shell, shell 5. These are the electrons involved in chemical bonding.
Antimony orbital diagram
Each box is an orbital that holds up to two electrons with opposite spins (↑↓). The inner shells are the same as the noble gas in brackets. How to write electron configurations
Molar mass of Antimony
121.76 g/mol
One mole of Antimony atoms (6.022 × 10²³ atoms) has a mass of 121.76 grams. Use this value to convert between grams and moles.
Antimony facts
- Antimony compounds are widely used as flame retardants in plastics and textiles.
- Ancient Egyptians used the antimony mineral stibnite as black eye make-up.
- Antimony (Sb) has atomic number 51 and is a solid at room temperature. It has been known since ancient times.
Position in the periodic table
Antimony is element 51, in period 5 and group 15 of the periodic table, in the p-block.
Uses of Antimony
Antimony is used mostly in compounds rather than as a pure metal. Small amounts harden lead for car batteries, cable sheathing, and ammunition, and antimony trioxide is a catalyst for making the PET plastic used in drink bottles. Antimony compounds also help remove bubbles from glass, and the semiconductor indium antimonide is used in infrared detectors.
Who discovered Antimony?
Antimony and its compounds have been known since ancient times. Its symbol, Sb, comes from its Latin name, stibium.
Where does the name come from?
Antimony comes from the Medieval Latin antimonium, a word of uncertain origin used by alchemists. The symbol Sb comes from the Latin stibium, the name for stibnite, an antimony mineral used in ancient times as black eye makeup.
Same group
Compare Antimony
FAQ
What is the electron configuration of Antimony?
The electron configuration of Antimony (Sb) is [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p3. Its 51 electrons are arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 18, 5.
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does Antimony have?
A neutral Antimony atom has 51 protons and 51 electrons. Most Antimony atoms have about 71 neutrons: the atomic mass rounded to 122, minus the atomic number 51.
How many valence electrons does Antimony have?
Antimony has 5 valence electrons in its outermost shell, shell 5. These are the electrons involved in chemical bonding.
What is the molar mass of Antimony?
The molar mass of Antimony is 121.76 g/mol. This is the same number as its atomic mass, 121.76 u.
Is Antimony a metal?
Not exactly. Antimony is a metalloid, with properties between those of metals and nonmetals.
Is Antimony radioactive?
Ordinary Antimony is not radioactive: it has at least one stable isotope. Like every element, it also has radioactive isotopes, most of them made in laboratories.
Where is Antimony on the periodic table?
Antimony is element 51, in period 5 and group 15 of the periodic table, in the p-block.