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Selenium (Se): Bohr Model, Protons, Neutrons & Electrons

Selenium is element number 34, a nonmetal in group 16, period 4. Its atom has 34 protons, 46 neutrons and 34 electrons arranged in 4 shells: 2, 8, 18, 6.

34 p⁺ · 46 n⁰
Bohr model of selenium: 34 protons (red) and 46 neutrons (blue) in the nucleus, 34 electrons (gold) in shells 2, 8, 18, 6.
34SeSelenium78.971
  • 34 protons
  • 46 neutrons
  • 34 electrons
افتح selenium in the 3D periodic table

Protons, neutrons and electrons in selenium

ال atomic number of selenium is 34, so every selenium atom has 34 protons. A neutral atom has the same number of electrons, 34. The number of neutrons depends on the isotope: neutrons = mass number − atomic number. For selenium-80, that is 80 − 34 = 46 neutrons. Selenium has 6 stable isotopes, with 40, 42, 43, 44, 46, 48 neutrons.

How to draw the Bohr model of selenium

  1. Draw the nucleus and write 34 p⁺ تم تصميم [الخدمة] لمتعلمين من جميع الأعمار، بما في ذلك طلاب المدارس. 46 n⁰ inside it.
  2. Draw the first shell and put 2 electrons on it (the first shell holds at most 2).
  3. Draw the second shell and put 8 electrons on it.
  4. Draw the third shell and put 18 electrons on it.
  5. Draw the fourth shell and put 6 electrons on it.
  6. Check: 2 + 8 + 18 + 6 = 34 electrons, the same as the number of protons.

From potassium onwards the shells don’t simply fill as 2, 8, 8: the fourth shell starts before the third is full, so the real arrangement above (2, 8, 18, 6) is the one to draw.

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of selenium is [Ar] 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁴. Its 6 outer electrons decide how it reacts: it tends to gain 2 more, forming Se²⁻ ions.

Key facts about selenium

SymbolSe
Atomic number34
Relative atomic mass78.971
Group · period · blockgroup 16 · period 4 · p-block
نوعNonmetal
State at 25 °Csolid
أغلفة الإلكترون2, 8, 18, 6
Electron configuration[Ar] 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁴
Valence electrons6
Common ionSe²⁻
Electronegativity (Pauling)2.55
First ionisation energy9.75 eV (941 kJ/mol)
Atomic radius (empirical)115 pm

Where selenium sits on the periodic table

الأسئلة الشائعة

How many protons, neutrons and electrons does selenium have?

Selenium has 34 protons and 34 electrons (atomic number 34). Its most common isotope, selenium-80, has 80 − 34 = 46 neutrons.

What is the electron configuration of selenium?

[Ar] 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁴. In shells that is 2, 8, 18, 6.

How many valence electrons does selenium have?

6. Selenium is in group 16, and its outer shell holds 6 electrons.

Where is selenium on the periodic table?

In group 16, period 4, in the p-block. It is a nonmetal.

استكشف selenium in 3D Build atoms in the Atom Builder