Element 86

Radon (Rn)

Noble gas · Period 6 · Group 18 · p-block

Radon (Rn) is element 86 of the periodic table, a noble gas in period 6, group 18 (p-block) with an atomic mass of 222 and is a gas at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
86
Symbol
Rn
Atomic mass
222 u
Category
Noble gases
Period
6
Group
18
Block
p-block
Phase at STP
gas

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p6
Shorthand configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p6
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 8
Oxidation states
0, +2, +6

Physical properties

Melting point
202 K (-71.15 °C)
Boiling point
211.3 K (-61.85 °C)
Density
0.00973 g/cm³
Phase
gas

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
2.2
Atomic radius
120 pm
Covalent radius
150 pm
Van der Waals radius
220 pm
First ionization energy
1037 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
0 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

Notable isotopes of Radon: mass number, atomic mass, natural abundance, and stability.
IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Rn-222222.01758 - Half-life 3.8 days

Common uses

  • Cancer treatment
  • Earthquake prediction research
  • Radiation studies

Discovery

Year
1900
Discovered by
Friedrich Ernst Dorn
Country
Germany

Frequently asked questions

Is radon a metal?
No. Radon is a nonmetal, classified as a noble gas on the periodic table.
How many protons does radon have?
Radon has 86 protons. Its atomic number is 86, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of radon.
What group and period is radon in?
Radon is in group 18 and period 6 of the periodic table, in the p-block.
What is the atomic mass of radon?
The atomic mass of radon is 222 u (unified atomic mass units).

Keep exploring

Radon'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.