Flerovium (Fl)
Post-transition metal · Radioactive · Synthetic
Flerovium sits at the heart of the predicted “island of stability” — a region where superheavy nuclei should live longer. Its isotopes are indeed relatively long-lived, encouraging the search for even heavier elements.
Position on the periodic table
Atomic properties
| Atomic number | 114 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 289 amu |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p2 |
| Noble gas shorthand | *[Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 7p2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 4 |
| Valence electrons (outer shell) | 4 |
| 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 | 14 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 66.85 °C (340 K) |
| Boiling point | 146.85 °C (420 K) |
| Appearance | Not available |
| Radioactive | Yes |
| Origin | Synthetic (lab-made) |
Electron configuration of flerovium
Flerovium's ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p2, usually shortened to *[Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 7p2. Its electrons occupy 7 shells (2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 4), placing it in period 7 of the p-block. The 4 outer-shell electrons drive its bonding behaviour. Explore it interactively in the electron configuration calculator.
Uses of flerovium
- Fundamental research only
Biological role: None.
Occurrence: Entirely synthetic.
History and discovery
Discovered: 1998 — Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. Name origin: Named after the Flerov Laboratory (and physicist Georgy Flerov) at Dubna.
First made at Dubna in 1998 by fusing calcium-48 with plutonium; named in 2012.
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: Flerovium
1. What is the chemical symbol of Flerovium?
2. What is the atomic number of Flerovium?
3. Which category does Flerovium belong to?
4. What is the state of Flerovium at room temperature?
5. Which period of the periodic table is Flerovium in?
Flerovium FAQs
What is the atomic number of flerovium?
Flerovium's atomic number is 114 — every flerovium atom has 114 protons in its nucleus.
What is the symbol for flerovium?
Fl. Named after the Flerov Laboratory (and physicist Georgy Flerov) at Dubna.
Is flerovium a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
Flerovium is classified as a post-transition metal.
What state is flerovium at room temperature?
At about 25 °C, flerovium is a solid. It melts at 66.85 °C.
How many valence electrons does flerovium have?
Flerovium has 4 electrons in its outer shell (shell pattern: 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 4).
What is flerovium used for?
Key uses include: fundamental research only.
Related elements
Keep working with this element
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