Moscovium (Mc)
Unknown properties · Radioactive · Synthetic
Moscovium, element 115, gained pop-culture fame from UFO conspiracy lore long before its real discovery. The genuine article is a fleeting laboratory creation named after the Moscow region.
Position on the periodic table
Atomic properties
| Atomic number | 115 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 289 amu |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p3 |
| Noble gas shorthand | *[Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 7p3 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 5 |
| Valence electrons (outer shell) | 5 |
| Common oxidation states | None common |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | Not available |
| Covalent radius (approx.) | Not available |
| First ionization energy | Not available |
| Electron affinity | 35.3 kJ/mol |
Physical properties
| State at 25 °C | Solid |
|---|---|
| Density | 13.5 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 396.85 °C (670 K) |
| Boiling point | 1126.8 °C (1400 K) |
| Appearance | Not available |
| Radioactive | Yes |
| Origin | Synthetic (lab-made) |
Electron configuration of moscovium
Moscovium's ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p3, usually shortened to *[Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 7p3. Its electrons occupy 7 shells (2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 5), placing it in period 7 of the p-block. The 5 outer-shell electrons drive its bonding behaviour. Explore it interactively in the electron configuration calculator.
Uses of moscovium
- Fundamental research only
Biological role: None.
Occurrence: Entirely synthetic.
History and discovery
Discovered: 2003 — Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. Name origin: Named after the Moscow region, home of the Dubna laboratory.
Created at Dubna in 2003 by a joint Russian-American team; named moscovium in 2016.
Safety notes
Radioactive; exists for fractions of a second.
Educational context only — always follow your school's laboratory rules and never handle chemicals without proper supervision. See our disclaimer.
Practice questions
Quick practice: Moscovium
1. What is the chemical symbol of Moscovium?
2. What is the atomic number of Moscovium?
3. Which category does Moscovium belong to?
4. What is the state of Moscovium at room temperature?
5. Which period of the periodic table is Moscovium in?
Moscovium FAQs
What is the atomic number of moscovium?
Moscovium's atomic number is 115 — every moscovium atom has 115 protons in its nucleus.
What is the symbol for moscovium?
Mc. Named after the Moscow region, home of the Dubna laboratory.
Is moscovium a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
Moscovium is classified as a unknown properties.
What state is moscovium at room temperature?
At about 25 °C, moscovium is a solid. It melts at 396.85 °C.
How many valence electrons does moscovium have?
Moscovium has 5 electrons in its outer shell (shell pattern: 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 5).
What is moscovium used for?
Key uses include: fundamental research only.
Related elements
Keep working with this element
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