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Hafnium (Hf) – Element 72 of the periodic table

Hafnium (symbol Hf) is element number 72 of the periodic table and belongs to the “Transition metal” category. Its atomic mass is about 178.49, and its phase under standard conditions is Solid. This element sits in period 6 and group 4 of the periodic table, and its electrons are arranged in shells of 2, 8, 18, 32, 10, 2. The short electron configuration of Hafnium is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d² 6s². Known uses of Hafnium include Nuclear reactors, Electronics and Alloys.

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Properties of Hafnium

Atomic number
72
Chemical symbol
Hf
Atomic mass
178.49
Category
Transition metal
Period
6
Group
4
Phase
Solid
Protons
72
Electrons
72
Neutrons (approx.)
106
Electron shells
2, 8, 18, 32, 10, 2
Outer-shell electrons
2
Discovered
Dirk Coster and George de Hevesy (1923)

Electron configuration of Hafnium

The electron configuration of Hafnium (Hf), with 72 electrons, is shown below. The last shell (shell 6) is highlighted:

Full configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d² 6s²
Short configuration
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d² 6s²
Last shell
6s²

What is electron configuration and how is it written?

Electron shells of Hafnium

Distribution of 72 electrons of Hafnium across shells K to P:

  1. K2
  2. L8
  3. M18
  4. N32
  5. O10
  6. P2

What is a transition metal?

The transition metals are the d-block elements: usually good conductors of heat and electricity, with several oxidation states, and they form colourful compounds and important catalysts.

Uses of Hafnium

Frequently asked questions about Hafnium

What is the atomic number of Hafnium?

The atomic number of Hafnium (Hf) is 72; that is, every atom of it has 72 protons.

What is the electron configuration of Hafnium?

The electron configuration of Hafnium (Hf) is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d² 6s²; in short form it is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d² 6s², and its last shell is 6s².

What is the chemical symbol of Hafnium?

The chemical symbol of Hafnium is Hf.

Where is Hafnium located in the periodic table?

Hafnium is located in period 6 and group 4 and belongs to the “Transition metal” category.

What is the atomic mass of Hafnium?

The atomic mass of Hafnium is about 178.49 (atomic mass units).

What is the phase of Hafnium under normal conditions?

The phase of Hafnium under standard conditions is Solid.

What are the uses of Hafnium?

Uses of Hafnium include Nuclear reactors, Electronics and Alloys.

Who discovered Hafnium?

Hafnium was discovered by Dirk Coster and George de Hevesy in 1923.

Elements in the same category as Hafnium (Transition metal)

Yttrium (Y)Zirconium (Zr)Niobium (Nb)Molybdenum (Mo)Technetium (Tc)Ruthenium (Ru)Rhodium (Rh)Palladium (Pd)Silver (Ag)Cadmium (Cd)Tantalum (Ta)Tungsten (W)Rhenium (Re)Osmium (Os)Iridium (Ir)Platinum (Pt)Gold (Au)Mercury (Hg)Rutherfordium (Rf)Dubnium (Db)

See all Transition metals

Hafnium’s group 4 neighbours

Titanium (Ti)Zirconium (Zr)Rutherfordium (Rf)

Group 4 of the periodic table