Quick answerRutherfordium (Rf) is a transition metal with atomic number 104 and a mass number of 267 (the most stable isotope), in group 4, period 7. It was discovered by JINR and Berkeley teams in 1969. It is used for superheavy element research and studying relativistic chemistry. Its electron configuration is [Rn] 5f14 6d2 7s2 (predicted).
Rutherfordium is a synthetic element named for Ernest Rutherford, made only in particle accelerators for research.
Key facts
| Symbol | Rf |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 104 |
| Atomic mass | [267] — mass number of the most stable isotope |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | 4 |
| Period | 7 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | [Rn] 5f14 6d2 7s2 predicted |
| Discovered | JINR and Berkeley teams, 1969 |
| Uses | superheavy element research, studying relativistic chemistry |
Quick quiz
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Keep exploring
- Periodic table — all 118 elements
- Gold (Au) — another transition metal, atomic number 79
- Mercury (Hg) — another transition metal, atomic number 80
- Dubnium (Db) — another transition metal, atomic number 105
- Seaborgium (Sg) — another transition metal, atomic number 106
- Bohrium (Bh) — another transition metal, atomic number 107
- Hassium (Hs) — another transition metal, atomic number 108
- Meitnerium (Mt) — another transition metal, atomic number 109
- Darmstadtium (Ds) — another transition metal, atomic number 110
- Roentgenium (Rg) — another transition metal, atomic number 111
- Copernicium (Cn) — another transition metal, atomic number 112
- All transition metal elements — on the periodic table
Sources & last updated
- CIAAW — Standard Atomic Weights
- PubChem Periodic Table
- Wikipedia — Timeline of chemical element discoveries
- Wikipedia — Rutherfordium
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.