Niobio (Nb): Bohr Model, Protons, Neutrons & Electrons
Niobio is element number 41, a transition metal in group 5, period 5. Its atom has 41 protons, 52 neutrons and 41 electrons arranged in 5 shells: 2, 8, 18, 12, 1.
- 41 protons
- 52 neutrons
- 41 electrons
Protons, neutrons and electrons in niobium
El atomic number of niobium is 41, so every niobium atom has 41 protons. A neutral atom has the same number of electrons, 41. The number of neutrons depends on the isotope: neutrons = mass number − atomic number. For niobium-93, that is 93 − 41 = 52 neutrons.
How to draw the Bohr model of niobium
- Draw the nucleus and write 41 p⁺ y 52 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 12 electrons on it.
- Draw the fifth shell and put 1 electron on it.
- Check: 2 + 8 + 18 + 12 + 1 = 41 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, 12, 1) is the one to draw.
Electron configuration
The electron configuration of niobium is [Kr] 5s¹ 4d⁴. As a transition metal it fills an inner d-subshell, and its common ion is Nb⁵⁺.
Key facts about niobium
| Symbol | Nb |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 41 |
| Relative atomic mass | 92.906 |
| Group · period · block | group 5 · period 5 · d-block |
| Tipo | Metal de transición |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Capas electrónicas | 2, 8, 18, 12, 1 |
| Electron configuration | [Kr] 5s¹ 4d⁴ |
| Electrones de valencia | varies (outer shell: 1) |
| Common ion | Nb⁵⁺ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.60 |
| First ionisation energy | 6.76 eV (652 kJ/mol) |
| Atomic radius (empirical) | 145 pm |
¿Dónde niobium sits on the periodic table
Preguntas frecuentes
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does niobium have?
Niobium has 41 protons and 41 electrons (atomic number 41). Its most common isotope, niobium-93, has 93 − 41 = 52 neutrons.
What is the electron configuration of niobium?
[Kr] 5s¹ 4d⁴. In shells that is 2, 8, 18, 12, 1.
How many valence electrons does niobium have?
Niobium is a transition metal, so its valence electrons are spread over two shells; its outermost shell holds 1.
Where is niobium on the periodic table?
In group 5, period 5, in the d-block. It is a transition metal.
