Hafnium (Hf) - Element 72 | Properties & Electron Configuration
What is Hafnium?
Hafnium (Hf) is element 72, a transition metal in period 6, group 4. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d² 6s².
| Atomic Number | 72 |
| Symbol | Hf |
| Atomic Mass | 178.49 u |
| Category | Transition Metal |
| Period | 6 |
| Group | 4 |
| Block | d |
| Electron Configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d² 6s² |
| Short Config | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d² 6s² |
| Electronegativity | 1.3 |
| Atomic Radius | 155 pm |
| Ionization Energy | 659 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | 0 kJ/mol |
| Phase (STP) | Solid |
Electron Configuration
The full electron configuration of Hafnium is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d² 6s². In noble gas shorthand, this is written as [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d² 6s².
Hafnium is a d-block element in group 4, period 6.
Periodic Trends
Electronegativity: Hafnium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.3. Within group 4, electronegativity generally decreases down the group.
Atomic Radius: 155 pm. Across period 6, atomic radius generally decreases left to right as nuclear charge increases.
Ionization Energy: 659 kJ/mol. Ionization energy generally increases across a period and decreases down a group.
View all 118 elements with trend overlays for electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.
Explore Hafnium on the Interactive Periodic TableRelated Topics
Titanium (Ti)
Properties of Titanium - same group as Hafnium
Zirconium (Zr)
Properties of Zirconium - same group as Hafnium
Rutherfordium (Rf)
Properties of Rutherfordium - same group as Hafnium
Cesium (Cs)
Properties of Cesium - same period as Hafnium
Barium (Ba)
Properties of Barium - same period as Hafnium
Lanthanum (La)
Properties of Lanthanum - same period as Hafnium