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Rhodium (Rh)
Element with atomic number 45, category: Transition metal, a solid at room temperature.
Element 45 of 118
Transition metal
Rhodium
Group 9, Period 5
Common Uses
Exhaust catalysts
Electron Diagram
About Rhodium
Rhodium is a chemical element with the symbol Rh and atomic number 45, meaning every atom has 45 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Transition metal and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 102.906 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Rhodium sits in group 9, period 5, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Rhodium
In daily life and industry, Rhodium is used for Exhaust catalysts. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Transition metal category.
Electron Structure of Rhodium
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), Rhodium has 4 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 17 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.