The Element Named After a Nuclear Pioneer

Basic Information

• Element Name: Rutherfordium
• Symbol: Rf
• Discovered By: Scientists in Russia and the USA (joint efforts)
• Category: Transition Metal
• Group: 4 (in the periodic table)
• State: Synthetic (man-made), does not naturally exist
• Discovered In: 1964

Chemical Properties

• Atomic Number: 104
• Atomic Mass: Around 267 (most stable isotope)
• Valence Electrons: Typically 4 (like other group 4 elements)
• Electronic Configuration: [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d² 7s²

What You Should Know About Rutherfordium

• Rutherfordium is a synthetic element, made by smashing smaller atoms in particle accelerators.
• It belongs to the transition metals and is similar to hafnium and zirconium.
• This element is radioactive and exists only briefly before decaying.
• It was named in honor of Ernest Rutherford, the famous scientist who discovered the nucleus of the atom.

Interesting Facts about Rutherfordium

• It doesn’t occur naturally — only created in labs.
• Scientists study it to explore the chemistry of very heavy atoms.
• Its discovery helped confirm predictions about the periodic table’s structure.
• Because it’s so unstable, it has no practical or commercial uses yet.

Uses

• Primarily used for scientific research in nuclear physics and chemistry.
• Helps researchers understand atomic behavior at the limits of the periodic table.

✨ Summary:
Rutherfordium is a man-made, radioactive element named after a pioneer of nuclear science. Though short-lived and rare, it helps scientists explore the fascinating world of superheavy elements and their place in chemistry!