Periodic table / Hafnium

Overview

Hafnium is a chemical element with symbol Hf and atomic number 72. A lustrous, silvery gray, tetravalent transition metal, hafnium chemically resembles zirconium and is found in zirconium minerals. Its existence was predicted by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869, though it was not identified until 1923, making it the penultimate stable element to be discovered (rhenium was identified two years later).

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of Hafnium is [Xe] 4f14 5d2 6s2, with electron shells of 2, 8, 18, 32, 10, 2.

Physical and chemical properties

Hafnium is classified as a transition metal. It has an atomic mass of 178.492 and exists as a solid at standard conditions, appearing as steel gray.

Real-world uses of Hafnium

As a transition metal, Hafnium is typically used in alloys, industrial manufacturing, electronics, or as a catalyst in chemical reactions.

Interesting facts about Hafnium

• Hafnium has the atomic number 72 and chemical symbol Hf.
• It belongs to period 6, group 4 of the periodic table.
• Hafnium was discovered by Dirk Coster.

Explore Hafnium interactively

Want to compare Hafnium with other elements or see it highlighted on the full table? Open the interactive periodic table and click on Hf to explore properties, trends, and neighboring elements. You can also test your knowledge with our periodic table quiz game.