Page 15 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

Rutherfordium (Rf )
Element 104.Also previously known
as unnilquadium (Unq). It is an artificial radioactive element belonging to the transition metals in the Periodic Table. It was the first transactinide element (that is, an element that lies beyond
the actinide series).Although only
very tiny amounts have been produced, and no direct evidence is yet available, it is believed to have properties similar to hafnium.
Discovery
It was first discovered in 1964 by Soviet scientists at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research at Dubna, Russia, and new isotopes were discovered in 1969 at the University of California at Berkeley.
The Russians suggested the name kurchatovium (atomic symbol: Ku) after Igor Vasilevich Kurchatov, who was the former head of Soviet nuclear research. American chemists have suggested the new element be named rutherfordium after Ernest R. Rutherford, a New Zealand physicist.The temporary
name suggested by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics
was unnilquadium.
Technology
Because so little has yet been obtained, so far it has no uses.
Geology
It does not occur in the environment.
Biology
It does not occur in living things; but since it is radioactive, if it were ever produced in substantial amounts, it would have the potential to be harmful.
Key facts...
Name: rutherfordium
Symbol: Rf
Atomic number: 104
Atomic weight: 261
Position in Periodic Table: transition metal,
group (4) (titanium group); period 7 State at room temperature: solid Colour: unknown
Density: n/a
Melting point: n/a
Boiling point: n/a
Origin of name: originally named kurchatovium,
symbol Ku (after Igor Kurchatov, a Soviet nuclear physicist) in 1964. The name rutherfordium was proposed in 1969 in honour of the New Zealand/British physicist Ernest Rutherford. It is the name that has now been internationally recognised.
Shell pattern of electrons: 2–8–18–32–32–10–2
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