Element 81

Thallium (Tl)

Post-transition metal · Period 6 · Group 13 · p-block

Thallium (Tl) is element 81 of the periodic table, a post-transition metal in period 6, group 13 (p-block) with an atomic mass of 204.38 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
81
Symbol
Tl
Atomic mass
204.38 u
Category
Post-transition metals
Period
6
Group
13
Block
p-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p1
Shorthand configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p1
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 3
Oxidation states
-5, -2, -1, +1, +3

Physical properties

Melting point
577 K
Boiling point
1746 K
Density
11.85 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
1.62
Atomic radius
156 pm
Covalent radius
145 pm
Van der Waals radius
196 pm
First ionization energy
589 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
19 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Tl-205204.9744170.48%Stable

Common uses

  • Electronics
  • Medical imaging
  • Low-temperature thermometers
  • Infrared detectors

Discovery

Year
1861
Discovered by
William Crookes
Country
England

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