Platinum is a chemical element with symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a dense, malleable, ductile, highly unreactive, precious, gray-white Transition Metal. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina, which is literally translated into 'little silver'.
It belongs to group 10 of the periodic table having trivial name .
Platinum Facts
Read key information and facts about element Platinum
Name | Platinum |
Atomic Number | 78 |
Atomic Symbol | Pt |
Atomic Weight | 195.078 |
Phase | Solid |
Color | Gray |
Appearance | silvery white |
Classification | Transition Metal |
Group in Periodic Table | 10 |
Group Name | nickel family |
Period in Periodic Table | period 6 |
Block in Periodic Table | d -block |
Electronic Configuration | [Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s1 |
Electronic Shell Structure (Electrons per shell) | 2, 8, 18, 32, 17, 1 |
Melting Point | 2041.4 K |
Boiling Point | 4098 K |
CAS Number | CAS7440-06-4 |
How to Locate Platinum on Periodic Table
Periodic table is arranged by atomic number, number of protons in the nucleus which is same as number of electrons. The atomic number increases from left to right. Periodic table starts at top left ( Atomic number 1) and ends at bottom right (atomic number 118). Therefore you can directly look for atomic number 78 to find Platinum on periodic table.
Another way to read periodic table and locate an element is by using group number (column) and period number (row). To locate Platinum on periodic table look for cross section of group 10 and period 6 in the modern periodic table.
Platinum History
The element Platinum was discovered by A. de Ulloa in year 1748 in Peru. Platinum was first isolated by in . Platinum derived its name from the Spanish platina, meaning 'little silver'.
First description of a metal found inSouth American gold was in 1557 by Julius Caesar Scaliger. Ulloa published his findings in 1748, butSir Charles Woodalso investigated the metal in 1741. First reference to it as a new metal was made byWilliam Brownriggin 1750.
Platinum Presence: Abundance in Nature and Around Us
The table below shows the abundance of Platinum in Universe, Sun, Meteorites, Earth's Crust, Oceans and Human Body.
ppb by weight (1ppb =10^-7 %) | ppb by atoms (1ppb =10^-7 %) | |
---|---|---|
Abundance in Universe | 5 | 0.03 |
Abundance in Sun | 9 | 0.06 |
Abundance in Meteorites | 1000 | 100 |
Abundance in Earth's Crust | 37 | 4 |
Abundance in Oceans | - | - |
Abundance in Humans | - | - |
Crystal Structure of Platinum
The solid state structure of Platinum is Face Centered Cubic.
The Crystal structure can be described in terms of its unit Cell. The unit Cells repeats itself in three dimensional space to form the structure.
Unit Cell Parameters
The unit cell is represented in terms of its lattice parameters, which are the lengths of the cell edges Lattice Constants (a, b and c)
a | b | c |
---|---|---|
392.42 pm | 392.42 pm | 392.42 pm |
and the angles between them Lattice Angles (alpha, beta and gamma).
alpha | beta | gamma |
---|---|---|
π/2 | π/2 | π/2 |
The positions of the atoms inside the unit cell are described by the set of atomic positions ( xi, yi, zi) measured from a reference lattice point.
The symmetry properties of the crystal are described by the concept of space groups. All possible symmetric arrangements of particles in three-dimensional space are described by the 230 space groups (219 distinct types, or 230 if chiral copies are considered distinct.
Space Group Name | Fm_ 3m |
Space Group Number | 225 |
Crystal Structure | Face Centered Cubic |
Number of atoms per unit cell | 4 |

The number of atoms per unit cell in a simple cubic, face-centered cubic and body-centred cubic are 1,4,2 respectively.
Platinum Atomic and Orbital Properties
Platinum atoms have 78 electrons and the electronic shell structure is [2, 8, 18, 32, 17, 1] with Atomic Term Symbol (Quantum Numbers) 3D3.
Atomic Number | 78 |
Number of Electrons (with no charge) | 78 |
Number of Protons | 78 |
Mass Number | 195 |
Number of Neutrons | 117 |
Shell structure (Electrons per energy level) | 2, 8, 18, 32, 17, 1 |
Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s1 |
Valence Electrons | 5d9 6s1 |
Valence (Valency) | 6 |
Main Oxidation States | 2, 4 |
Oxidation States | -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
Atomic Term Symbol (Quantum Numbers) | 3D3 |
Bohr Atomic Model of Platinum - Electrons per energy level

n | s | p | d | f |
---|
Ground State Electronic Configuration of Platinum - neutral Platinum atom
Abbreviated electronic configuration of Platinum
The ground state abbreviated electronic configuration of Neutral Platinum atom is [Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s1. The portion of Platinum configuration that is equivalent to the noble gas of the preceding period, is abbreviated as [Xe]. For atoms with many electrons, this notation can become lengthy and so an abbreviated notation is used. This is important as it is the Valence electrons 5d9 6s1, electrons in the outermost shell that determine the chemical properties of the element.
Unabbreviated electronic configuration of neutral Platinum
Complete ground state electronic configuration for the Platinum atom, Unabbreviated electronic configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f14 5d9 6s1
Electrons are filled in atomic orbitals as per the order determined by the Aufbau principle, Pauli Exclusion Principle and Hund’s Rule.

Atomic Structure of Platinum
Platinum atomic radius is 177 pm, while it's covalent radius is 128 pm.
Atomic Radius Calculated | 177 pm (1.77 Å) |
Atomic Radius Empirical | 135 pm (1.35 Å) |
Atomic Volume | 9.09 cm3/mol |
Covalent Radius | 128 pm (1.28 Å) |
Van der Waals Radius | 175 pm |
Neutron Cross Section | 10 |
Neutron Mass Absorption | 0.002 |
Atomic Spectrum of Platinum
Platinum Chemical Properties: Platinum Ionization Energies and electron affinity
The electron affinity of Platinum is 205.3 kJ/mol.
Valence | 6 |
Electronegativity | 2.28 |
ElectronAffinity | 205.3 kJ/mol |
Ionization Energy of Platinum
Refer to table below for Ionization energies of Platinum
Ionization energy number | Enthalpy - kJ/mol |
---|---|
1st | 870 |
2nd | 1791 |
Platinum Physical Properties
Refer to below table for Platinum Physical Properties
Density | 21.09 g/cm3(when liquid at m.p density is $19.77 g/cm3) |
Molar Volume | 9.09 cm3/mol |
Elastic Properties
Young Modulus | 168 |
Shear Modulus | 61 GPa |
Bulk Modulus | 230 GPa |
Poisson Ratio | 0.38 |
Hardness of Platinum - Tests to Measure of Hardness of Element
Mohs Hardness | 3.5 MPa |
Vickers Hardness | 549 MPa |
Brinell Hardness | 392 MPa |
Platinum Electrical Properties
Platinum is Conductor of electricity. Refer to table below for the Electrical properties ofPlatinum
Electrical Conductivity | 9400000 S/m |
Resistivity | 1.1e-7 m Ω |
Superconducting Point | - |
Platinum Heat and Conduction Properties
Thermal Conductivity | 72 W/(m K) |
Thermal Expansion | 0.0000088 /K |
Platinum Magnetic Properties
Magnetic Type | Paramagnetic |
Curie Point | - |
Mass Magnetic Susceptibility | 1.22e-8 m3/kg |
Molar Magnetic Susceptibility | 2.38e-9 m3/mol |
Volume Magnetic Susceptibility | 0.0002573 |
Optical Properties of Platinum
Refractive Index | - |
Acoustic Properties of Platinum
Speed of Sound | 2680 m/s |
Platinum Thermal Properties - Enthalpies and thermodynamics
Refer to table below for Thermal properties of Platinum
Melting Point | 2041.4 K (1768.25°C, 3214.85 °F) |
Boiling Point | 4098 K (3824.85°C, 6916.7300000000005 °F) |
Critical Temperature | - |
Superconducting Point | - |
Enthalpies of Platinum
Heat of Fusion | 20 kJ/mol |
Heat of Vaporization | 490 kJ/mol |
Heat of Combustion | - |
Platinum Isotopes - Nuclear Properties of Platinum
Platinum has 37 isotopes, with between 166 and 202 nucleons. Platinum has 5 stable naturally occuring isotopes.
Isotopes of Platinum - Naturally occurring stable Isotopes: 192Pt, 194Pt, 195Pt, 196Pt, 198Pt.
Isotope | Z | N | Isotope Mass | % Abundance | T half | Decay Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
166Pt | 78 | 88 | 166 | Synthetic | ||
167Pt | 78 | 89 | 167 | Synthetic | ||
168Pt | 78 | 90 | 168 | Synthetic | ||
169Pt | 78 | 91 | 169 | Synthetic | ||
170Pt | 78 | 92 | 170 | Synthetic | ||
171Pt | 78 | 93 | 171 | Synthetic | ||
172Pt | 78 | 94 | 172 | Synthetic | ||
173Pt | 78 | 95 | 173 | Synthetic | ||
174Pt | 78 | 96 | 174 | Synthetic | ||
175Pt | 78 | 97 | 175 | Synthetic | ||
176Pt | 78 | 98 | 176 | Synthetic | ||
177Pt | 78 | 99 | 177 | Synthetic | ||
178Pt | 78 | 100 | 178 | Synthetic | ||
179Pt | 78 | 101 | 179 | Synthetic | ||
180Pt | 78 | 102 | 180 | Synthetic | ||
181Pt | 78 | 103 | 181 | Synthetic | ||
182Pt | 78 | 104 | 182 | Synthetic | ||
183Pt | 78 | 105 | 183 | Synthetic | ||
184Pt | 78 | 106 | 184 | Synthetic | ||
185Pt | 78 | 107 | 185 | Synthetic | ||
186Pt | 78 | 108 | 186 | Synthetic | ||
187Pt | 78 | 109 | 187 | Synthetic | ||
188Pt | 78 | 110 | 188 | Synthetic | ||
189Pt | 78 | 111 | 189 | Synthetic | ||
190Pt | 78 | 112 | 190 | 0.014% | Stable | N/A |
191Pt | 78 | 113 | 191 | Synthetic | ||
192Pt | 78 | 114 | 192 | 0.782% | Stable | N/A |
193Pt | 78 | 115 | 193 | Synthetic | ||
194Pt | 78 | 116 | 194 | 32.967% | Stable | N/A |
195Pt | 78 | 117 | 195 | 33.832% | Stable | |
196Pt | 78 | 118 | 196 | 25.242% | Stable | N/A |
197Pt | 78 | 119 | 197 | Synthetic | ||
198Pt | 78 | 120 | 198 | 7.163% | Stable | N/A |
199Pt | 78 | 121 | 199 | Synthetic | ||
200Pt | 78 | 122 | 200 | Synthetic | ||
201Pt | 78 | 123 | 201 | Synthetic | ||
202Pt | 78 | 124 | 202 | Synthetic |
Regulatory and Health - Health and Safety Parameters and Guidelines
Database Search
List of unique identifiers to search the element in various chemical registry databases
Database | Identifier number |
---|---|
CAS Number - Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) | CAS7440-06-4 |
RTECS Number | RTECSTP2160000 |
CID Number | CID23939 |
Gmelin Number | - |
NSC Number | - |
Compare Platinum with other elements
Compare Platinum with all Group 10 elements
Compare Platinum with all Period 6 elements
Compare Platinum with all Transition Metal elements
FAQs
What is the electronic configuration of Platinum?
The electronic configuration of Platinum is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f14 5d9 6s1.
What is the abbreviated electronic configuration of Platinum?
The abbreviated electronic configuration of Platinum is [Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s1. To form abbreviated notation of electronic configuration, the completely filled subshells are replaced by the noble gas of the preceding period in square brackets.
What is the symbol of Platinum?
Symbol of Platinum is Pt. Platinum is a chemical element with symbol Pt and atomic number 78.
What is the position of Platinum in the Periodic Table?
Platinum is a chemical element with the symbol Pt and atomic number 78. Platinum is the 78 element on the periodic table. It is located in group 10 and period 6 in the modern periodic table.
What is the atomic number of Platinum?
The atomic number of Platinum is 78.
What is the color of Platinum?
Platinum is of Gray color.
Who discovered Platinum?
The element Platinum was discovered by A. de Ulloa in year 1748 in Peru. Platinum was first isolated by undefined in undefined.
How many valence electrons does a Platinum atom have?
Platinum has 6 valence electrons. Platinum has 78 electrons out of which 6 valence electrons are present in the 5d9 6s1 outer orbitals of atom.
What is the melting Point of Platinum?
Melting Point of Platinum is 2041.4 K.
What is the boiling Point of Platinum?
Boiling Point of Platinum is 4098 K.
What is the melting Point of Platinum in Kelvin?
Melting Point of Platinum in Kelvin is 2041.4 K.
What is the boiling Point of Platinum in Kelvin?
Boiling Point of Platinum in Kelvin is 4098 K.
What is the electronic configuration of Platinum 78?
The electronic configuration of Platinum will be 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f14 5d9 6s1.
How do you write the electron configuration for Platinum?
The electronic configuration of Platinum will be 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f14 5d9 6s1.