SoftwareEducation
Gallium (Ga)
Element with atomic number 31, category: Post-transition metal, a solid at room temperature.
Element 31 of 118
Post-transition metal
Gallium
Group 13, Period 4
Common Uses
LEDs, semiconductors
Electron Diagram
About Gallium
Gallium is a chemical element with the symbol Ga and atomic number 31, meaning every atom has 31 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Post-transition metal and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 69.723 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Gallium sits in group 13, period 4, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Gallium
In daily life and industry, Gallium is used for LEDs, semiconductors. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Post-transition metal category.
Electron Structure of Gallium
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Gallium has 4 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 3 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.