Manganese
transition metal · period 4 · group 7 · d-block
Manganese is a chemical element with the symbol Mn and atomic number 25. It is a hard brittle silvery metal, often found in minerals in combination with iron.
What the numbers say
At standard temperature and pressure Manganese is a solid, sitting in period 4, group 7 of the d-block.
Its melting point of 1519 K (1246 °C) is the 40th highest of the 110 elements with a measured value — mid-range among the elements.
At 7.47 g/cm³ it is the 43rd densest of 96 elements with a quoted density.
Pauling electronegativity is 1.55. Paired with oxygen (3.44) that is a difference of 1.89, which puts the bond predominantly ionic — expect a stable oxide ceramic.
In the solid state it takes a body-centered cubic structure — BCC packing is stronger but shows a ductile-to-brittle transition as temperature drops.
It is reported in 10 oxidation states (-3, -2, -1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), which sets how many distinct compounds and phases it can form.
First identified in 1774.
Crystal structure
Solid Manganese adopts a Body-centered Cubic arrangement, in the Cubic (isometric) system — axes a = b = c, angles α = β = γ = 90°. Symmetry controls the anisotropy of stiffness and thermal expansion, and the available slip systems set how far the metal deforms before it fractures.
Check it against computed structures
The structure search queries the Materials Project, OQMD and the Open Materials Database for computed crystal structures containing Mn — with DFT formation energy, hull stability and band gap where the provider publishes them.
K 2 · L 8 · M 13 · N 2
Properties
| Atomic number | 25 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 54.9380443 u |
| Series | transition metal |
| Group | 7 |
| Period | 4 |
| Block | d-block |
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Density | 7.47 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 1519 K (1246 °C) |
| Boiling point | 2334 K (2061 °C) |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.55 |
| Electron configuration | [Ar] 3d⁵ 4s² |
| Crystal structure | Body-centered Cubic |
| Oxidation states | -3,-2,-1,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
| Discovered | 1774 |
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See Mn in context with all 118 elements.
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