Berkelio (Bk): Bohr Model, Protons, Neutrons & Electrons
Berkelio is element number 97, an actinide in the f-block (the actinide row drawn below the table), period 7. Its atom has 97 protons, 150 neutrons and 97 electrons arranged in 7 shells: 2, 8, 18, 32, 27, 8, 2.
- 97 protons
- 150 neutrons
- 97 electrons
Protons, neutrons and electrons in berkelium
El atomic number of berkelium is 97, so every berkelium atom has 97 protons. A neutral atom has the same number of electrons, 97. The number of neutrons depends on the isotope: neutrons = mass number − atomic number. For berkelium-247, that is 247 − 97 = 150 neutrons. Every isotope of berkelium is radioactive; 247 is the mass number of its most stable one.
How to draw the Bohr model of berkelium
- Draw the nucleus and write 97 p⁺ y 150 n⁰ inside it.
- Draw the first shell and put 2 electrons on it (the first shell holds at most 2).
- Draw the second shell and put 8 electrons on it.
- Draw the third shell and put 18 electrons on it.
- Draw the fourth shell and put 32 electrons on it.
- Draw the fifth shell and put 27 electrons on it.
- Draw the sixth shell and put 8 electrons on it.
- Draw the seventh shell and put 2 electrons on it.
- Check: 2 + 8 + 18 + 32 + 27 + 8 + 2 = 97 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, 32, 27, 8, 2) is the one to draw.
Electron configuration
The electron configuration of berkelium is [Rn] 7s² 5f⁹. As an actinide it fills an inner f-subshell, and its common ion is Bk³⁺.
Key facts about berkelium
| Symbol | Bk |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 97 |
| Relative atomic mass | [247] |
| Group · period · block | f-block · period 7 |
| Tipo | Actínido |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Capas electrónicas | 2, 8, 18, 32, 27, 8, 2 |
| Electron configuration | [Rn] 7s² 5f⁹ |
| Electrones de valencia | varies (outer shell: 2) |
| Common ion | Bk³⁺ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.30 |
| First ionisation energy | 6.20 eV (598 kJ/mol) |
| Atomic radius (empirical) | — |
¿Dónde berkelium sits on the periodic table
Preguntas frecuentes
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does berkelium have?
Berkelium has 97 protons and 97 electrons (atomic number 97). Its most common isotope, berkelium-247, has 247 − 97 = 150 neutrons.
What is the electron configuration of berkelium?
[Rn] 7s² 5f⁹. In shells that is 2, 8, 18, 32, 27, 8, 2.
How many valence electrons does berkelium have?
Berkelium is an actinide, so its valence electrons are spread over two shells; its outermost shell holds 2.
Where is berkelium on the periodic table?
In the f-block (the actinide row drawn below the table), period 7, in the f-block. It is an actinide.
