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Hafnium (Hf)
Element with atomic number 72, category: Transition metal, a solid at room temperature.
Element 72 of 118
Transition metal
Hafnium
Group 4, Period 6
Common Uses
Nuclear reactors
Electron Diagram
About Hafnium
Hafnium is a chemical element with the symbol Hf and atomic number 72, meaning every atom has 72 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Transition metal and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 178.49 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Hafnium sits in group 4, period 6, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Hafnium
In daily life and industry, Hafnium is used for Nuclear reactors. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Transition metal category.
Electron Structure of Hafnium
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), Hafnium has 5 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 32, 12 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.