Mendeleev
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Element story

Rutherfordium

Atomic number 104 means that every Rutherfordium nucleus contains 104 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Rutherfordium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 104 means that every Rutherfordium nucleus contains 104 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Rutherfordium.

Rutherfordium (Rf) is chemical element 104. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is not firmly established. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in scientific research.

See the atom

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

What this number means

Atomic number 104 means that every Rutherfordium nucleus contains 104 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Rutherfordium.

Keep exploring

→ Rutherfordium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

104RfRutherfordium
Rutherfordium · Rf · Z = 104

Rutherfordium (Rf) is chemical element 104. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is not firmly established. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Rutherfordium (Rf) is chemical element 104. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is not firmly established. 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 scientific research.

What its position in the table tells us

Rutherfordium sits in period 7, group 4 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.