Hassium (Hs): Bohr Model, Protons, Neutrons & Electrons
Hassium is element number 108, a superheavy in group 8, period 7. Its atom has 108 protons, 162 neutrons and 108 electrons arranged in 7 shells: 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 14, 2.
Protons, neutrons and electrons in hassium
The atomic number of hassium is 108, so every hassium atom has 108 protons. A neutral atom has the same number of electrons, 108. The number of neutrons depends on the isotope: neutrons = mass number − atomic number. For hassium-270, that is 270 − 108 = 162 neutrons. Every isotope of hassium is radioactive; 270 is the mass number of its most stable one.
How to draw the Bohr model of hassium
- Draw the nucleus and write 108 p⁺ and 162 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 32 electrons on it.
- Draw the sixth shell and put 14 electrons on it.
- Draw the seventh shell and put 2 electrons on it.
- Check: 2 + 8 + 18 + 32 + 32 + 14 + 2 = 108 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, 32, 14, 2) is the one to draw.
Electron configuration
The electron configuration of hassium is [Rn] 7s² 5f¹⁴ 6d⁶. As a superheavy it fills an inner d-subshell, and its common ion is variable.
Key facts about hassium
| Symbol | Hs |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 108 |
| Relative atomic mass | [270] |
| Group · period · block | group 8 · period 7 · d-block |
| Type | Superheavy |
| State at 25 °C | unknown |
| Electron shells | 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 14, 2 |
| Electron configuration | [Rn] 7s² 5f¹⁴ 6d⁶ |
| Valence electrons | varies (outer shell: 2) |
| Common ion | — |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | — |
| First ionisation energy | — |
| Atomic radius (empirical) | — |
Where hassium sits on the periodic table
Frequently asked questions
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does hassium have?
Hassium has 108 protons and 108 electrons (atomic number 108). Its most common isotope, hassium-270, has 270 − 108 = 162 neutrons.
What is the electron configuration of hassium?
[Rn] 7s² 5f¹⁴ 6d⁶. In shells that is 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 14, 2.
How many valence electrons does hassium have?
Hassium is a superheavy, so its valence electrons are spread over two shells; its outermost shell holds 2.
Where is hassium on the periodic table?
In group 8, period 7, in the d-block. It is a superheavy.
