Rf
Rutherfordium
Element 104 · 267.122 u
Transition Metal
d-block
Period 7
Group 4
Solid at RT
Radioactive
t½ 1.3 hours
Synthetic
Wikipedia →
Rutherfordium was the first transactinide element synthesized.
Physical Properties
| Atomic Mass | 267.122 u |
| Density | 23.2 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 2400.0 K |
| Boiling Point | 5800.0 K |
| Appearance | Metallic (predicted) |
| State at Room Temp | Solid |
Chemical Properties
| 1st Ionization Energy | 580.0 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation States | +4 |
Atomic Properties
| Electron Configuration | [Rn] 5f14 6d2 7s2 |
Discovery
| Discovered By | Joint Institute for Nuclear Research / Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory |
| Discovery Year | 1964 |
| Location | Dubna, Russia / Berkeley, USA |
| Named After | Named after Ernest Rutherford, discoverer of the atomic nucleus |
About Rutherfordium
Rutherfordium is a synthetic element whose discovery was disputed during the Cold War. It is expected to behave like hafnium. Only a few atoms have been produced at a time.
Uses & Applications
No practical applications. Scientific research only.
Fun Fact
Rutherfordium sparked the 'Transfermium Wars,' a Cold War dispute over naming rights for elements 104-106.
Isotopes
| Mass Number | Abundance | Half-Life | Stable |
| 261 | - | 68 seconds | No |
| 267 | - | 1.3 hours | No |
Electron Configuration
[Rn] 5f14 6d2 7s2