Electron Configuration of Bismuth (Bi)
Bismuth (Bi, Z = 83) has the electron configuration [Xe] 4f^14 5d^10 6s^2 6p^3, filling 6 shells with 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 5 electrons.
Teachers call it "one fact, fully handled" — exactly what this page does for Bismuth. 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 Bismuth page is one click away.
Bismuth: every subshell, one by one
Start from 1s and follow the running total: this is exactly how examiners expect you to build Bismuth's configuration on paper.
| Subshell | Electrons | Total so far |
|---|---|---|
| [Xe] | 0 | 54 |
| 4f | 14 | 68 |
| 5d | 10 | 78 |
| 6s | 2 | 80 |
| 6p | 3 | 83 |
Electrons per shell (K, L, M…)
Grouped by principal quantum number instead of subshell, Bismuth carries 2 in shell 1, 8 in shell 2, 18 in shell 3, 32 in shell 4, 18 in shell 5, 5 in shell 6. The outermost shell holds 5 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 83 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 Bismuth that gives [Xe] 4f^14 5d^10 6s^2 6p^3.
Students also ask
How many electron shells does Bismuth have?
Bismuth is in period 6, so its electrons occupy 6 shells, holding 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 5 electrons respectively.
How many valence electrons does Bismuth have?
Its outermost shell holds 5 electrons, so Bismuth has 5 valence electrons that take part in bonding.
What is the noble-gas shorthand for Bismuth?
The shorthand form is exactly [Xe] 4f^14 5d^10 6s^2 6p^3.