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Metalloids

Antimony

A brittle metalloid used in flame retardants and alloys.

Atomic #51Mass121.76Blockp-blockPeriod5Group15
Sb51 · 121.76
3D Atom Explorer

Inside the Antimony atom

Switch between Bohr and Quantum Cloud modes to compare a simple teaching model with a more realistic probability-based view, and follow the guided tour to explore the Antimony atom step by step.

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Electron configuration

[Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p3

A neutral Antimony atom has 51 electrons (equal to its proton count). Choosing a different isotope above changes only the neutron count.

Shell distribution

Shell 12 e⁻Shell 28 e⁻Shell 318 e⁻Shell 418 e⁻Shell 55 e⁻

Electrons fill inner shells before outer ones; the outermost (valence) shell drives the element's chemistry.

Properties

Physical & atomic properties

State (room temp)
Solid
Melting point
904 K (631 °C)
Boiling point
1860 K (1587 °C)
Density
6.685 g/cm³
Electronegativity
2.05 Pauling
Atomic radius
145 pm
1st ionization energy
834 kJ/mol
Category
Metalloids
History

Discovery & naming

Discovered
Antiquity
Discovered by
Known since antiquity
Origin of name
Greek 'anti monos', meaning not alone.

Notable uses

Flame retardants, lead alloys, and semiconductors.

Cosmic origin

Where Antimony comes from

Several comparable sources

Both slow neutron capture in dying stars and rapid capture in explosive events contribute meaningfully.

Simplified origin map — many elements form through more than one astrophysical pathway.

Summary

Atomic number
51
Atomic mass
121.76
Category
Metalloids
Group · Period
15 · 5
Block
p-block
Shells
2 · 8 · 18 · 18 · 5