What Is Flerovium?
Flerovium is a chemical element with the symbol Fl and atomic number 114, categorized as a post-transition metal.
Named after Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions at Dubna.
As a post-transition metal in Period 7 and Group 14 (Carbon Group), flerovium's placement on the table reflects its electron configuration of [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s² 7p², which governs its bonding behavior and the type of compounds it typically forms.
Position on the Periodic Table
Flerovium is located in Period 7, the bottom row of the standard periodic table, consisting largely of radioactive and synthetic elements.
Within that row, flerovium sits in Group 14 (Carbon Group), alongside elements that share a similar number of valence electrons and, by extension, similar chemical behavior.
This position is not arbitrary — the periodic table was deliberately organized so that an element's row and column reveal its expected reactivity, bonding pattern, and physical state at a glance.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Flerovium has an atomic mass of (289) u and a density of ~14 g/cm³.
Flerovium is generally softer and lower-melting than the transition metals positioned to its left on the periodic table.
Electron Configuration Explained
Flerovium's electron configuration is [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s² 7p², describing how its electrons are distributed across shells and subshells around the nucleus.
Reading the configuration in order shows electrons filling shells of increasing energy, following the standard Aufbau principle that explains how atomic structure builds up across the periodic table.
The outermost (valence) electrons shown in this configuration are what ultimately determine flerovium's chemical reactivity and the type of bonds it forms with other elements.
History & Discovery
Flerovium was formally discovered in 1999, Oganessian, identified through the careful isolation and analytical techniques typical of that era's chemical research.
Many elements from this period were anticipated by Dmitri Mendeleev's periodic table, which successfully predicted gaps corresponding to undiscovered elements well before laboratory instruments existed to confirm them directly.
What Is Flerovium Used For?
Flerovium's specific properties make it useful in several applications, including:
- Research only
- Nuclear physics
- Scientific study
- No practical uses
- Academic research
These uses reflect flerovium's underlying classification as a post-transition metal, since the same properties that define its category in chemistry also determine where it becomes practically useful.
Fun Facts About Flerovium
- Flerovium is named after Flerov Laboratory, itself named after Soviet physicist Georgy Flyorov.
- Flerovium is element number 114 on the periodic table, in Period 7 and Group 14.
- Its standard atomic mass is (289) u, calculated from the natural abundance of its isotopes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Flerovium's atomic number?
Flerovium has atomic number 114.
What is Flerovium's chemical symbol?
Flerovium's symbol is Fl.
What group and period is Flerovium in?
Flerovium is in Period 7, Group 14 (Carbon Group).
What is Flerovium's atomic mass?
Flerovium's standard atomic mass is (289) u.