Rf
Rutherfordium
Element 104 · Transition metal
Rutherfordium (Rf)
Rutherfordium is the first transactinide element. It behaves like a heavier version of hafnium.
- Transition metal
- Period 7
- Group 4
- d-block
- solid at room temperature
- ☢ Radioactive
Key properties
- Atomic mass
- [267]
- u
- Electron configuration
- [Rn] 5f14 6d2 7s2
- Melting point
- 2,126.9 °C
- 2,400 K
- Boiling point
- 5,526.9 °C
- 5,800 K
- Density
- 23.2 g/cm³
- Electronegativity
- —
- Atomic radius
- —
- 1st ionisation energy
- —
Superheavy elements have only been made a few atoms at a time. Most properties shown are theoretical predictions.
Compare with every element:Electronegativity chartAtomic radius chartIonisation energy chartDensity chart of the elementsMelting point chartElectron configuration chart
Did you know?
Notable facts about rutherfordium
- 01
Soviet and American labs both claimed it, sparking the “Transfermium Wars” over names.
- 02
Soviet scientists proposed the name kurchatovium.
- 03
Its most stable isotopes last only minutes to hours.
Applications
What is rutherfordium used for?
- Research
History
Discovery & name origin
Discovered by
Year
Where
Russia and United States
Name origin
From Ernest Rutherford, father of nuclear physics.
Atomic structure
Atomic properties
Atomic structure
Atomic properties
- Atomic number
- 104
- Atomic mass
- [267] u
- Group
- 4
- Period
- 7
- Block
- d-block
- Electron configuration
- [Rn] 5f14 6d2 7s2
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d2
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 10, 2
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- —
- Electron affinity
- —
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- —
- Stable isotopes
- None — all isotopes are radioactive
Oxidation states
Highlighted: common oxidation states (+4).
Physical
Physical properties & colour
Physical
Physical properties & colour
- State at 20 °C
- Solid (predicted)
- Melting point
- 2,400 K · 2,126.9 °C · 3,860.3 °F
- Boiling point
- 5,800 K · 5,526.9 °C · 9,980.3 °F
- Density
- 23.2 g/cm³
- Molar heat capacity
- —
- Appearance
- —
- CPK model colour
- Copied
The CPK colour is the convention used for this element’s atoms in molecular models.
FAQ
Rutherfordium questions
What is Rf on the periodic table?
Rf is the symbol for rutherfordium, element 104 on the periodic table. It sits in group 4, period 7, in the transition metal category, and has an atomic mass of [267].
What is the atomic number of rutherfordium?
Rutherfordium has atomic number 104, so every rutherfordium atom has 104 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Rf and its atomic mass is [267].
Who discovered rutherfordium?
Rutherfordium was discovered by Georgy Flerov and Albert Ghiorso in 1964 (Russia and United States). The name comes from from Ernest Rutherford, father of nuclear physics.
What is rutherfordium used for?
Rutherfordium is used for: research.
Is rutherfordium a metal?
Yes. Rutherfordium is a transition metal, one of the metallic elements.
What is the electron configuration of rutherfordium?
The electron configuration of rutherfordium is [Rn] 5f14 6d2 7s2 (predicted). Its 104 electrons are arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 10, 2.