Element 93

Neptunium (Np)

Actinide · Period 7 · f-block

Neptunium (Np) is element 93 of the periodic table, a actinide in period 7 (f-block) with an atomic mass of 237 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
93
Symbol
Np
Atomic mass
237 u
Category
Actinides
Period
7
Block
f-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p6 5f4 6d1 7s2
Shorthand configuration
[Rn] 5f4 6d1 7s2
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 18, 32, 22, 9, 2
Oxidation states
+2, +3, +4, +5, +6, +7

Physical properties

Melting point
917 K
Boiling point
4273 K
Density
20.45 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
1.36
Atomic radius
155 pm
Covalent radius
190 pm
First ionization energy
605 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
46 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Np-237237.04817Half-life 2.14 million years

Common uses

  • Neutron detection
  • Weapons research
  • Spacecraft power

Discovery

Year
1940
Discovered by
Edwin McMillan, Philip Abelson
Country
USA

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