Tennessine (Ts): Bohr Model, Protons, Neutrons & Electrons
Tennessine is element number 117, a superheavy in group 17, period 7. Its atom has 117 protons, 177 neutrons and 117 electrons arranged in 7 shells: 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 7.
Protons, neutrons and electrons in tennessine
The atomic number of tennessine is 117, so every tennessine atom has 117 protons. A neutral atom has the same number of electrons, 117. The number of neutrons depends on the isotope: neutrons = mass number − atomic number. For tennessine-294, that is 294 − 117 = 177 neutrons. Every isotope of tennessine is radioactive; 294 is the mass number of its most stable one.
How to draw the Bohr model of tennessine
- Draw the nucleus and write 117 p⁺ and 177 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 18 electrons on it.
- Draw the seventh shell and put 7 electrons on it.
- Check: 2 + 8 + 18 + 32 + 32 + 18 + 7 = 117 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, 18, 7) is the one to draw.
Electron configuration
The electron configuration of tennessine is [Rn] 7s² 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7p⁵. Its 7 outer electrons decide how it reacts: it usually shares electrons in covalent bonds.
Key facts about tennessine
| Symbol | Ts |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 117 |
| Relative atomic mass | [294] |
| Group · period · block | group 17 · period 7 · p-block |
| Type | Superheavy |
| State at 25 °C | unknown |
| Electron shells | 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 7 |
| Electron configuration | [Rn] 7s² 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7p⁵ |
| Valence electrons | 7 |
| Common ion | — |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | — |
| First ionisation energy | — |
| Atomic radius (empirical) | — |
Where tennessine sits on the periodic table
Frequently asked questions
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does tennessine have?
Tennessine has 117 protons and 117 electrons (atomic number 117). Its most common isotope, tennessine-294, has 294 − 117 = 177 neutrons.
What is the electron configuration of tennessine?
[Rn] 7s² 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7p⁵. In shells that is 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 7.
How many valence electrons does tennessine have?
7. Tennessine is in group 17, and its outer shell holds 7 electrons.
Where is tennessine on the periodic table?
In group 17, period 7, in the p-block. It is a superheavy.
