Neptunium (Np) – Periodic Table [Element Information & More]

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neptunium element periodic table

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)

The important data related to neptunium element is given in the table below.

Appearance of neptuniumSilvery metallic
Atomic number of neptunium93
Symbol of neptuniumNp
Atomic mass of neptunium (most stable isotope)237 u
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in neptuniumProtons: 93, Neutrons: 144, Electrons: 93
State of neptunium (at STP)Solid
Period number of neptunium in periodic table7
Block of neptunium in periodic tablef-block
Category of neptuniumInner transition metals
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in neptunium2, 8, 18, 32, 22, 9, 2
Electron configuration of neptunium[Rn] 5f4 6d1 7s2
Orbital diagram of neptuniumorbital diagram of neptunium
Atomic radius of neptunium (van der Waals radius)237 picometers
Density of neptunium20.45 g/cm3
1st ionization energy of neptunium6.266 eV
Main isotope of neptunium237Np
Crystal structure of neptuniumOrthorhombic
Discovery of neptuniumBy 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.

  1. Edwin McMillan and Philip Abelson discovered neptunium in the year 1940.
  2. Neptunium was given its name from the planet “Neptune”.
  3. The radioactive isotope of neptunium (237Np) has the longest half-life of around 2.14 million years.
  4. Out of all the elements on the periodic table, neptunium is the 5th most dense element.
  5. 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;

Jay Rana

Jay is an educator and has helped more than 100,000 students in their studies by providing simple and easy explanations on different science-related topics. With a desire to make learning accessible for everyone, he founded Knords Learning, an online chemistry learning platform that provides students with easily understandable explanations.

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