Hassium (Hs)
Transition metal · Radioactive · Synthetic
Hassium is named after the German state of Hesse, home of the GSI laboratory. With a predicted density exceeding any natural element, it exists only as a few short-lived atoms at a time.
Position on the periodic table
Atomic properties
| Atomic number | 108 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 269 amu |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d6 |
| Noble gas shorthand | *[Rn] 5f14 6d6 7s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 14, 2 |
| Valence electrons (outer shell) | 2 |
| Common oxidation states | +8 |
| 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 | 40.7 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | -147.15 °C (126 K) |
| Boiling point | Not available |
| Appearance | Not available |
| Radioactive | Yes |
| Origin | Synthetic (lab-made) |
Electron configuration of hassium
Hassium's ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d6, usually shortened to *[Rn] 5f14 6d6 7s2. Its electrons occupy 7 shells (2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 14, 2), placing it in period 7 of the d-block. Explore it interactively in the electron configuration calculator.
Uses of hassium
- Fundamental research only
Biological role: None.
Occurrence: Entirely synthetic.
History and discovery
Discovered: 1984 — Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung. Name origin: From Hassia, Latin for Hesse, Germany.
Synthesised at GSI Darmstadt in 1984 by Peter Armbruster and Gottfried Münzenberg's team.
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: Hassium
1. What is the chemical symbol of Hassium?
2. What is the atomic number of Hassium?
3. Which category does Hassium belong to?
4. What is the state of Hassium at room temperature?
5. Which period of the periodic table is Hassium in?
Hassium FAQs
What is the atomic number of hassium?
Hassium's atomic number is 108 — every hassium atom has 108 protons in its nucleus.
What is the symbol for hassium?
Hs. From Hassia, Latin for Hesse, Germany.
Is hassium a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
Hassium is classified as a transition metal.
What state is hassium at room temperature?
At about 25 °C, hassium is a solid. It melts at -147.15 °C.
What is hassium used for?
Key uses include: fundamental research only.
Related elements
Keep working with this element
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