Is zirconium a metal?

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

How many protons does zirconium have?

Zirconium has 40 protons. Its atomic number is 40, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of zirconium.

What group and period is zirconium in?

Zirconium is in group 4 and period 5 of the periodic table, in the d-block.

What is the atomic mass of zirconium?

The atomic mass of zirconium is 91.224 u (unified atomic mass units).

Element 40

Zirconium (Zr)

Transition metal · Period 5 · Group 4 · d-block

Zirconium (Zr) is element 40 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 5, group 4 (d-block) with an atomic mass of 91.224 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number: 40
Symbol: Zr
Atomic mass: 91.224 u
Category: Transition metals
Period: 5
Group: 4
Block: d-block
Phase at STP: solid

Electron structure

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

Physical properties

Melting point: 2,128 K (1,854.85 °C)
Boiling point: 4,682 K (4,408.85 °C)
Density: 6.506 g/cm³
Phase: solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling): 1.33
Atomic radius: 206 pm
Covalent radius: 175 pm
First ionization energy: 640 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 41 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

Notable isotopes of Zirconium: mass number, atomic mass, natural abundance, and stability.
Isotope	Mass	Abundance	Stability
Zr-90	89.9047	51.45%	Stable

Common uses

Nuclear reactors
Ceramics
Surgical instruments
Deodorants

Discovery

Year: 1789
Discovered by: Martin Heinrich Klaproth
Country: Germany

Frequently asked questions

Is zirconium a metal?: Yes. Zirconium is a metal, classified as a transition metal on the periodic table.
How many protons does zirconium have?: Zirconium has 40 protons. Its atomic number is 40, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of zirconium.
What group and period is zirconium in?: Zirconium is in group 4 and period 5 of the periodic table, in the d-block.
What is the atomic mass of zirconium?: The atomic mass of zirconium is 91.224 u (unified atomic mass units).

Keep exploring

Zirconium'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.