Atomic number 50
Tin
Post-transition metal
Quick facts
- Atomic mass
- 118.71
- Group
- 14
- Period
- 5
- State (STP)
- solid
- Electronegativity
- 1.96
- Common ox. states
- +2, +4
Properties
Electron configuration
[Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p²
- Ionization energy
- 708.6 kJ/mol
- Electron affinity
- 107.3 kJ/mol
- Melting point
- 505.08 K (231.9 °C)
- Boiling point
- 2875.00 K (2601.8 °C)
How it bonds
Tin shows both +2 (Sn²⁺, stannous) and +4 (Sn⁴⁺, stannic). The "inert pair effect" lets tin keep its 5s² electrons unbonded, so +2 is more common in heavier group-14 elements than in carbon or silicon. Used in solder, tinplated steel, and SnO₂ touchscreens.