Electron Configuration of Tin (Sn)
Tin (Sn, Z = 50) has the electron configuration [Kr] 4d^10 5s^2 5p^2, filling 5 shells with 2, 8, 18, 18, 4 electrons.
Teachers call it "one fact, fully handled" — exactly what this page does for Tin. The answer sits at the top in bold; scroll for the working, the shell-by-shell breakdown and the two questions students ask most. Need the whole picture instead — history, characteristics, uses, exam questions? The full Tin page is one click away.
Tin: every subshell, one by one
Start from 1s and follow the running total: this is exactly how examiners expect you to build Tin's configuration on paper.
| Subshell | Electrons | Total so far |
|---|---|---|
| [Kr] | 0 | 36 |
| 4d | 10 | 46 |
| 5s | 2 | 48 |
| 5p | 2 | 50 |
Electrons per shell (K, L, M…)
Grouped by principal quantum number instead of subshell, Tin carries 2 in shell 1, 8 in shell 2, 18 in shell 3, 18 in shell 4, 4 in shell 5. The outermost shell holds 4 electrons — the ones that do all the bonding.
How to derive it yourself
Follow the aufbau order (1s → 2s → 2p → 3s → 3p → 4s → 3d → …), pouring 50 electrons into orbitals of capacity 2 (s), 6 (p), 10 (d) and 14 (f) until none remain. Write the filled inner shells as the nearest noble-gas core — for Tin that gives [Kr] 4d^10 5s^2 5p^2.
Students also ask
How many electron shells does Tin have?
Tin is in period 5, so its electrons occupy 5 shells, holding 2, 8, 18, 18, 4 electrons respectively.
How many valence electrons does Tin have?
Its outermost shell holds 4 electrons, so Tin has 4 valence electrons that take part in bonding.
What is the noble-gas shorthand for Tin?
The shorthand form is exactly [Kr] 4d^10 5s^2 5p^2.