Yes. Hafnium is a metal, classified as a transition metal on the periodic table.

How many protons does hafnium have?

Hafnium has 72 protons. Its atomic number is 72, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of hafnium.

What group and period is hafnium in?

Hafnium is in group 4 and period 6 of the periodic table, in the d-block.

What is the atomic mass of hafnium?

The atomic mass of hafnium is 178.49 u (unified atomic mass units).

Element 72

Hafnium (Hf)

Transition metal · Period 6 · Group 4 · d-block

Hafnium (Hf) is element 72 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 6, group 4 (d-block) with an atomic mass of 178.49 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number: 72
Symbol: Hf
Atomic mass: 178.49 u
Category: Transition metals
Period: 6
Group: 4
Block: d-block
Phase at STP: solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d2 6s2
Shorthand configuration: [Xe] 4f14 5d2 6s2
Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 10, 2
Oxidation states: -2, +1, +2, +3, +4

Physical properties

Melting point: 2,506 K (2,232.85 °C)
Boiling point: 4,876 K (4,602.85 °C)
Density: 13.31 g/cm³
Phase: solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling): 1.3
Atomic radius: 208 pm
Covalent radius: 175 pm
First ionization energy: 659 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 0 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

Notable isotopes of Hafnium: mass number, atomic mass, natural abundance, and stability.
Isotope	Mass	Abundance	Stability
Hf-180	179.94656	35.08%	Stable

Common uses

Nuclear reactor control rods
Superalloys
Plasma cutting
Microprocessors

Discovery

Year: 1923
Discovered by: Dirk Coster, George de Hevesy
Country: Denmark

Frequently asked questions

Is hafnium a metal?: Yes. Hafnium is a metal, classified as a transition metal on the periodic table.
How many protons does hafnium have?: Hafnium has 72 protons. Its atomic number is 72, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of hafnium.
What group and period is hafnium in?: Hafnium is in group 4 and period 6 of the periodic table, in the d-block.
What is the atomic mass of hafnium?: The atomic mass of hafnium is 178.49 u (unified atomic mass units).

Keep exploring

Hafnium's row is on the printable element property sheet, and its tile is on the periodic table wall chart - the same numbers as above, laid out for A4 or A3 paper.