Rutherfordium (Rf): Bohr Model, Protons, Neutrons & Electrons
Rutherfordium is element number 104, a superheavy in group 4, period 7. Its atom has 104 protons, 163 neutrons and 104 electrons arranged in 7 shells: 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 10, 2.
- 104 protons
- 163 neutrons
- 104 electrons
Protons, neutrons and electrons in rutherfordium
Le atomic number of rutherfordium is 104, so every rutherfordium atom has 104 protons. A neutral atom has the same number of electrons, 104. The number of neutrons depends on the isotope: neutrons = mass number − atomic number. For rutherfordium-267, that is 267 − 104 = 163 neutrons. Every isotope of rutherfordium is radioactive; 267 is the mass number of its most stable one.
How to draw the Bohr model of rutherfordium
- Draw the nucleus and write 104 p⁺ et 163 n⁰ inside it.
- Draw the first shell and put 2 electrons on it (the first shell holds at most 2).
- Draw the second shell and put 8 electrons on it.
- Draw the third shell and put 18 electrons on it.
- Draw the fourth shell and put 32 electrons on it.
- Draw the fifth shell and put 32 electrons on it.
- Draw the sixth shell and put 10 electrons on it.
- Draw the seventh shell and put 2 electrons on it.
- Check: 2 + 8 + 18 + 32 + 32 + 10 + 2 = 104 electrons, the same as the number of protons.
From potassium onwards the shells don’t simply fill as 2, 8, 8: the fourth shell starts before the third is full, so the real arrangement above (2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 10, 2) is the one to draw.
Electron configuration
The electron configuration of rutherfordium is [Rn] 7s² 5f¹⁴ 6d². As a superheavy it fills an inner d-subshell, and its common ion is variable.
Key facts about rutherfordium
| Symbol | Rf |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 104 |
| Relative atomic mass | [267] |
| Group · period · block | group 4 · period 7 · d-block |
| Type | Super lourd |
| State at 25 °C | unknown |
| Couches électroniques | 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 10, 2 |
| Electron configuration | [Rn] 7s² 5f¹⁴ 6d² |
| Électrons de valence | varies (outer shell: 2) |
| Common ion | — |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | — |
| First ionisation energy | 6.01 eV (580 kJ/mol) |
| Atomic radius (empirical) | — |
Où rutherfordium sits on the periodic table
Foire aux questions
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does rutherfordium have?
Rutherfordium has 104 protons and 104 electrons (atomic number 104). Its most common isotope, rutherfordium-267, has 267 − 104 = 163 neutrons.
What is the electron configuration of rutherfordium?
[Rn] 7s² 5f¹⁴ 6d². In shells that is 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 10, 2.
How many valence electrons does rutherfordium have?
Rutherfordium is a superheavy, so its valence electrons are spread over two shells; its outermost shell holds 2.
Where is rutherfordium on the periodic table?
In group 4, period 7, in the d-block. It is a superheavy.
