Cesium (Cs) - Element 55 | Properties & Electron Configuration

What is Cesium?

Cesium (Cs) is element 55, a alkali metal in period 6, group 1. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ 6s¹.

Atomic Number55
SymbolCs
Atomic Mass132.91 u
CategoryAlkali Metal
Period6
Group1
Blocks
Electron Configuration1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ 6s¹
Short Config[Xe] 6s¹
Electronegativity0.79
Atomic Radius260 pm
Ionization Energy376 kJ/mol
Electron Affinity46 kJ/mol
Phase (STP)Solid

Electron Configuration

The full electron configuration of Cesium is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ 6s¹. In noble gas shorthand, this is written as [Xe] 6s¹.

Cesium is a s-block element in group 1, period 6.

Periodic Trends

Electronegativity: Cesium has a Pauling electronegativity of 0.79. Within group 1, electronegativity generally decreases down the group.

Atomic Radius: 260 pm. Across period 6, atomic radius generally decreases left to right as nuclear charge increases.

Ionization Energy: 376 kJ/mol. Ionization energy generally increases across a period and decreases down a group.

View all 118 elements with trend overlays for electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.

Explore Cesium on the Interactive Periodic Table

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