
Neptunium element (Np) is in period 7 of a periodic table. Neptunium is in the f-block and it is classified as an actinide on the periodic table.
There is a lot more information related to neptunium which is mentioned in the Information Table given below.
So let’s dive right into it!
Table of contents
- Neptunium element (Information Table)
- Neptunium element in Periodic table
- Facts about Neptunium
- Properties of Neptunium
- Uses of Neptunium
Neptunium Element (Information Table)
The important data related to neptunium element is given in the table below.
Appearance of neptunium | Silvery metallic |
Atomic number of neptunium | 93 |
Symbol of neptunium | Np |
Atomic mass of neptunium (most stable isotope) | 237 u |
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in neptunium | Protons: 93, Neutrons: 144, Electrons: 93 |
State of neptunium (at STP) | Solid |
Period number of neptunium in periodic table | 7 |
Block of neptunium in periodic table | f-block |
Category of neptunium | Inner transition metals |
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in neptunium | 2, 8, 18, 32, 22, 9, 2 |
Electron configuration of neptunium | [Rn] 5f4 6d1 7s2 |
Orbital diagram of neptunium | ![]() |
Atomic radius of neptunium (van der Waals radius) | 237 picometers |
Density of neptunium | 20.45 g/cm3 |
1st ionization energy of neptunium | 6.266 eV |
Main isotope of neptunium | 237Np |
Crystal structure of neptunium | Orthorhombic |
Discovery of neptunium | By Edwin McMillan and Philip Abelson (in 1940) |
Also see: Interactive Periodic Table (It has rotating bohr models as well as many other details of all the 118 elements in a single periodic table).
Neptunium element in Periodic table
The Neptunium element (Np) has the atomic number 93 and is located in period 7. Neptunium is a metal and it is classified as an actinide group element.
H | He | ||||||||||||||||
Li | Be | B | C | N | O | F | Ne | ||||||||||
Na | Mg | Al | Si | P | S | Cl | Ar | ||||||||||
K | Ca | Sc | Ti | V | Cr | Mn | Fe | Co | Ni | Cu | Zn | Ga | Ge | As | Se | Br | Kr |
Rb | Sr | Y | Zr | Nb | Mo | Tc | Ru | Rh | Pd | Ag | Cd | In | Sn | Sb | Te | I | Xe |
Cs | Ba | La* | Hf | Ta | W | Re | Os | Ir | Pt | Au | Hg | Tl | Pb | Bi | Po | At | Rn |
Fr | Ra | Ac** | Rf | Db | Sg | Bh | Hs | Mt | Ds | Rg | Cn | Nh | Fl | Mc | Lv | Ts | Og |
*Ce | Pr | Nd | Pm | Sm | Eu | Gd | Tb | Dy | Ho | Er | Tm | Yb | Lu | ||||
**Th | Pa | U | Np | Pu | Am | Cm | Bk | Cf | Es | Fm | Md | No | Lr |
Facts about neptunium
Here are a few interesting facts about the neptunium element.
- Edwin McMillan and Philip Abelson discovered neptunium in the year 1940.
- Neptunium was given its name from the planet “Neptune”.
- The radioactive isotope of neptunium (237Np) has the longest half-life of around 2.14 million years.
- Out of all the elements on the periodic table, neptunium is the 5th most dense element.
- Neptunium is a radioactive element and it is also toxic for humans.
Properties of neptunium
Here is a list of some physical properties and chemical properties of neptunium.
Physical properties of neptunium
- Neptunium has a silvery white metallic appearance.
- The density of neptunium is 20.45 g/cm3 and the atomic mass of its most stable isotope is 237 amu.
- The atomic radius (van der Waals) of neptunium is 221 picometers.
- Neptunium has orthorhombic crystal structure.
Chemical properties of neptunium
- Neptunium reacts with the atmospheric oxygen and forms a thin oxide layer on it.
- The electron configuration of neptunium ([Rn] 5f4 6d1 7s2) shows that the last electron enters the f-orbital and hence it is f-block element.
- Neptunium has variable oxidation states ranging from +3 to +7, but its most common oxidation state is +5.
Uses of neptunium
Here are some uses of the neptunium element.
- Neptunium is a radioactive element and hence it has no commercial uses.
- Neptunium is generally used in research work.
- Neptunium can be used to produce plutonium.
Article by;