Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Hafnium

Atomic number 72 means that every Hafnium nucleus contains 72 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Hafnium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 72 means that every Hafnium nucleus contains 72 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Hafnium.

Hafnium (Hf) is chemical element 72. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in nuclear control, microelectronics and alloys.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 72 means that every Hafnium nucleus contains 72 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Hafnium.

Keep exploring

→ Hafnium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

72HfHafnium
Hafnium · Hf · Z = 72

Hafnium (Hf) is chemical element 72. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Hafnium (Hf) is chemical element 72. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in nuclear control, microelectronics and alloys.

What its position in the table tells us

Hafnium sits in period 6, group 4 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.