Hafnium

TRANSITION METAL · GROUP 4 · PERIOD 6
72
Hf
Hafnium
178.49

Atomic Data

Atomic Number72
SymbolHf
Atomic Weight178.49 u
Density (STP)13.31 g/cm³
Melting Point2232.85 °C (2506 K)
Boiling Point4602.85 °C (4876 K)
Electronegativity1.3 (Pauling)
Electron Config.1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d2 6s2
Oxidation States+4
Phase at STPSolid
CategoryTransition Metal
Period / Group6 / 4
CAS Number7440-58-6

Electron Configuration

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[Xe] 4f14 5d2 6s2

Shell n Subshell Electrons Cumulative
K11s22
L22s24
L22p610
M33s212
M33p618
M33d1028
N44s230
N44p636
N44d1046
N44f1460
O55s262
O55p668
O55d270
P66s272
Total 72 72

Isotopes of Hafnium

Hafnium has six naturally occurring stable isotopes. The most abundant is ¹⁸⁰Hf, comprising 35.08% of all naturally occurring Hafnium.

Isotope Symbol Protons Neutrons Abundance Stability
Hafnium-174¹⁷⁴Hf721020.16Stable
Hafnium-176¹⁷⁶Hf721045.26Stable
Hafnium-177¹⁷⁷Hf7210518.6Stable
Hafnium-178¹⁷⁸Hf7210627.28Stable
Hafnium-179¹⁷⁹Hf7210713.62Stable
Hafnium-180¹⁸⁰Hf7210835.08Stable

Abundance & Occurrence

Hafnium is present in Earth's crust at approximately 3 ppm by mass and at approximately 0.3 ppm by mass throughout the universe.

Earth's Crust (ppm by mass)

Hafnium
3 ppm
Silicon (ref.)
277,000 ppm
Oxygen (ref.)
461,000 ppm

Universe (ppm by mass)

Hafnium
0.3 ppm
Helium (ref.)
230,000 ppm
Hydrogen (ref.)
739,000 ppm

Discovery & History

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Safety & Handling

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Real-World Uses

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Downloadable Resources

Free periodic table reference sheets for classrooms, study sessions, and laboratory use.

Frequently Asked Questions

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