Rutherfordium (Rf)

Rutherfordium is a synthetic element named after Ernest Rutherford, the father of nuclear physics.

Carbon and californium nuclei spiralling together and fusing into rutherfordium, claimed in turn by two rival auras before one finally holds — Video: Carbon and californium nuclei spiralling together and fusing into rutherfordium, claimed in turn by two rival auras before one finally holds

Properties of Rutherfordium

Atomic number: 104
Category: Transition Metal
Atomic mass: 267 u
Electron configuration: [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d² 7s²
Melting point: 2400 K (2126.85 °C)
Boiling point: 5800 K (5526.85 °C)
Density: 23.2 g/cm³
Appearance: Unknown, presumably metallic
Discovered by: Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (1964)

Facts about Rutherfordium

Rutherfordium is named after Ernest Rutherford, who discovered the atomic nucleus!
Rutherfordium was the subject of a naming controversy between American and Soviet scientists!
Rutherfordium atoms exist for only about 75 minutes before decaying!
Only a few atoms of rutherfordium have ever been produced at a time!

Rutherfordium videos

Carbon and californium nuclei spiralling together and fusing into rutherfordium, claimed in turn by two rival auras before one finally holds

Back to the periodic table · Rutherfordium on Wikipedia