Hafnium (Hf): Properties, Uses and Facts in 3D
Hafnium is element 72 on the periodic table, a transition metal. At room temperature it is a solid. Open it in the 3D Periodic Table to spin its tile, see its electron shells and read its story.
Explore in 3DHafnium quick facts
| Atomic number | 72 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Hf |
| Atomic mass | 178.49 |
| Category | Transition Metal |
| Group and period | Group 4, period 6 |
| Block | d-block |
| State at room temperature | Solid |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d² 6s² |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 10, 2 |
| Discovered | 1923, Coster & de Hevesy |
What is hafnium used for?
- Nuclear reactor control rods
- MOSFET transistor gate dielectric
- Plasma cutting torch electrodes
Interesting facts about hafnium
- Intel switched transistor gates from silicon dioxide to hafnium dioxide in 2007. The biggest change in transistor design in 40 years
- Named after Hafnia, the Latin name for Copenhagen, where it was discovered
- Hafnium is almost always found mixed with zirconium. They are chemically nearly identical despite different atomic numbers
Hafnium was discovered in 1923 by Coster & de Hevesy in Denmark.
Where hafnium sits on the periodic table
Hafnium is in group 4, period 6. Tap any element to open its page.
Other transition metals
Hafnium questions
What is the atomic number of hafnium?
Hafnium has atomic number 72, so every hafnium atom has 72 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Hf and its atomic mass is 178.49.
Is hafnium a metal?
Hafnium is a metal. On the periodic table it is grouped as a transition metal, found in group 4, period 6.
What is the electron configuration of hafnium?
The electron configuration of hafnium is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d² 6s². Its electrons sit in 6 shells: 2, 8, 18, 32, 10, 2.
What is hafnium used for?
Hafnium is used for nuclear reactor control rods, mosfet transistor gate dielectric and plasma cutting torch electrodes.
Who discovered hafnium?
Hafnium was discovered in 1923 by Coster & de Hevesy in Denmark.
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