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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.
nuclear controlmicroelectronicsalloys
Standard atomic weight178.486(6)
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.
Worth remembering
Hafnium has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses
Hafnium has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses