Tin (Sn)

Silvery metal

Tin is one of the earliest metals used by humans, found in bronze and the coating of food cans, and with [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p², tin has two allotropes: white (metallic, tetragonal) and gray (semiconductor, diamond cubic). Tin pest occurs when tin converts to gray tin below 13.2°C, causing disintegration.

Key metrics

Density7.29g/cm³

Melting point505K

Boiling point2,875K

Electronegativity1.96Pauling

Discovery

-3000discovered

Discovered by: Ancient civilizations
Reactivity profile: Resists corrosion
Reactivity: Low
Bonding: Metallic

Electron configuration

\textcolor{#6b7280}{[Kr]}\; \textcolor{#22c55e}{4_{d}^{10}}\; \textcolor{#ef4444}{5_{s}^{2}}\; \textcolor{#3b82f6}{5_{p}^{2}}

[Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p2

Wave function

\Psi_{\text{Sn}} \approx \frac{1}{\sqrt{50!}} \det \left| \chi_1(\mathbf{r}_1) \dots \chi_{50}(\mathbf{r}_{50}) \right|

Probability density $|\Psi|^2$ across the Sn valence shell.

Crystal structure

Tetragonal

Lattice constantsa 1.00 · b 1.00 · c 1.20

Cell anglesα = β = γ = 90°

Coordination number—

Atoms per cell—

Atomic packing factor0.64

Physical properties

Atomic radius: 145 pm
Ionization energy: 709 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 107 kJ/mol
Crystal structure: Tetragonal

Oxidation states

+2+4

Acid/base

Can act as acid or base

Strongly acidicStrongly basic

State at 25 °CSolid

505 K2875 K298 K

Emission spectrum

3 transitions

380450500550600650700780

VioletBlueGreenYellowRed

464.4nmSn I (blue)Blue100%

480.1nmSn IBlue50%

556.2nmSn I (green)Green60%

Dominant line 464.4 nmRange 464–556 nmTransitions 3