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Ruthenium (Ru)
Element with atomic number 44, category: Transition metal, a solid at room temperature.
Element 44 of 118
Transition metal
Ruthenium
Group 8, Period 5
Common Uses
Catalysts, electronics
Electron Diagram
About Ruthenium
Ruthenium is a chemical element with the symbol Ru and atomic number 44, meaning every atom has 44 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Transition metal and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 101.07 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Ruthenium sits in group 8, period 5, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Ruthenium
In daily life and industry, Ruthenium is used for Catalysts, electronics. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Transition metal category.
Electron Structure of Ruthenium
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), Ruthenium has 4 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 16 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.