Darmstadtium (Ds)
Unknown properties · Radioactive · Synthetic
Darmstadtium is named after Darmstadt, Germany, where GSI scientists created it in 1994. It sits below platinum in the table, but its chemistry remains untested — atoms vanish in fractions of a second.
Position on the periodic table
Atomic properties
| Atomic number | 110 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 281 amu |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d8 |
| Noble gas shorthand | *[Rn] 5f14 6d9 7s1 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 16, 2 |
| Valence electrons (outer shell) | 2 |
| Common oxidation states | None common |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | Not available |
| Covalent radius (approx.) | Not available |
| First ionization energy | Not available |
| Electron affinity | Not available |
Physical properties
| State at 25 °C | Solid |
|---|---|
| Density | 34.8 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | Not available |
| Boiling point | Not available |
| Appearance | Not available |
| Radioactive | Yes |
| Origin | Synthetic (lab-made) |
Electron configuration of darmstadtium
Darmstadtium's ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d8, usually shortened to *[Rn] 5f14 6d9 7s1. Its electrons occupy 7 shells (2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 16, 2), placing it in period 7 of the d-block. Explore it interactively in the electron configuration calculator.
Uses of darmstadtium
- Fundamental research only
Biological role: None.
Occurrence: Entirely synthetic.
History and discovery
Discovered: 1994 — Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung. Name origin: Named after Darmstadt, Germany.
Synthesised at GSI Darmstadt in November 1994 by fusing nickel with lead.
Safety notes
Radioactive; research only.
Educational context only — always follow your school's laboratory rules and never handle chemicals without proper supervision. See our disclaimer.
Practice questions
Quick practice: Darmstadtium
1. What is the chemical symbol of Darmstadtium?
2. What is the atomic number of Darmstadtium?
3. Which category does Darmstadtium belong to?
4. What is the state of Darmstadtium at room temperature?
5. Which period of the periodic table is Darmstadtium in?
Darmstadtium FAQs
What is the atomic number of darmstadtium?
Darmstadtium's atomic number is 110 — every darmstadtium atom has 110 protons in its nucleus.
What is the symbol for darmstadtium?
Ds. Named after Darmstadt, Germany.
Is darmstadtium a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
Darmstadtium is classified as a unknown properties.
What state is darmstadtium at room temperature?
At about 25 °C, darmstadtium is a solid.
What is darmstadtium used for?
Key uses include: fundamental research only.
Related elements
Keep working with this element
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