Tennessine (Ts)
Unknown properties · Radioactive · Synthetic
Tennessine is the second-newest element, made in 2010 using a berkelium target that only Oak Ridge, Tennessee could produce. It is formally a halogen by position — though probably nothing like fluorine in behaviour.
Position on the periodic table
Atomic properties
| Atomic number | 117 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 294 amu |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p5 |
| Noble gas shorthand | *[Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 7p5 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 7 |
| Valence electrons (outer shell) | 7 |
| Common oxidation states | None common |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | Not available |
| Covalent radius (approx.) | Not available |
| First ionization energy | Not available |
| Electron affinity | 165.9 kJ/mol |
Physical properties
| State at 25 °C | Solid |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.17 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 449.85 °C (723 K) |
| Boiling point | 609.85 °C (883 K) |
| Appearance | Not available |
| Radioactive | Yes |
| Origin | Synthetic (lab-made) |
Electron configuration of tennessine
Tennessine's ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p5, usually shortened to *[Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 7p5. Its electrons occupy 7 shells (2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 7), placing it in period 7 of the p-block. The 7 outer-shell electrons drive its bonding behaviour. Explore it interactively in the electron configuration calculator.
Uses of tennessine
- Fundamental research only
Biological role: None.
Occurrence: Entirely synthetic.
History and discovery
Discovered: 2010 — Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. Name origin: Named after Tennessee, home of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
A Dubna–Oak Ridge–Livermore collaboration created element 117 in 2010; named tennessine in 2016.
Safety notes
Radioactive; exists for milliseconds.
Educational context only — always follow your school's laboratory rules and never handle chemicals without proper supervision. See our disclaimer.
Practice questions
Quick practice: Tennessine
1. What is the chemical symbol of Tennessine?
2. What is the atomic number of Tennessine?
3. Which category does Tennessine belong to?
4. What is the state of Tennessine at room temperature?
5. Which period of the periodic table is Tennessine in?
Tennessine FAQs
What is the atomic number of tennessine?
Tennessine's atomic number is 117 — every tennessine atom has 117 protons in its nucleus.
What is the symbol for tennessine?
Ts. Named after Tennessee, home of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Is tennessine a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
Tennessine is classified as a unknown properties.
What state is tennessine at room temperature?
At about 25 °C, tennessine is a solid. It melts at 449.85 °C.
How many valence electrons does tennessine have?
Tennessine has 7 electrons in its outer shell (shell pattern: 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 7).
What is tennessine used for?
Key uses include: fundamental research only.
Related elements
Keep working with this element
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