Element 33

Arsenic (As)

Metalloid · Period 4 · Group 15 · p-block

Arsenic (As) is element 33 of the periodic table, a metalloid in period 4, group 15 (p-block) with an atomic mass of 74.922 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
33
Symbol
As
Atomic mass
74.922 u
Category
Metalloids
Period
4
Group
15
Block
p-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p3
Shorthand configuration
[Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p3
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 18, 5
Oxidation states
-3, -2, -1, +1, +2, +3, +4, +5

Physical properties

Melting point
1,090 K (816.85 °C)
Boiling point
887 K (613.85 °C)Arsenic sublimes - it passes straight from solid to vapour at 887 K. It melts at 1090 K only under roughly 3.7 MPa, which is why the boiling point is the lower number.
Density
5.776 g/cm³
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
2.18
Atomic radius
114 pm
Covalent radius
119 pm
Van der Waals radius
185 pm
First ionization energy
947 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
78 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

Notable isotopes of Arsenic: mass number, atomic mass, natural abundance, and stability.
IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
As-7574.9216100%Stable

Common uses

  • Semiconductors
  • Wood preservation
  • Alloys
  • Pesticides

Discovery

Year
1250
Discovered by
Albertus Magnus
Country
Germany

Frequently asked questions

Is arsenic a metal?
Arsenic is a metalloid, which means it shows properties of both metals and nonmetals.
How many protons does arsenic have?
Arsenic has 33 protons. Its atomic number is 33, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of arsenic.
What group and period is arsenic in?
Arsenic is in group 15 and period 4 of the periodic table, in the p-block.
What is the atomic mass of arsenic?
The atomic mass of arsenic is 74.922 u (unified atomic mass units).

Keep exploring

Arsenic's row is on the printable element property sheet, and its tile is on the periodic table wall chart - the same numbers as above, laid out for A4 or A3 paper.