Seaborgium (Sg)
Transition metal · Radioactive · Synthetic
Seaborgium broke a rule: it was named after Glenn Seaborg while he was still alive — the first time an element honoured a living person. Its chemistry, probed atom by atom, resembles tungsten's.
Position on the periodic table
Atomic properties
| Atomic number | 106 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 269 amu |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d4 |
| Noble gas shorthand | *[Rn] 5f14 6d4 7s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 12, 2 |
| Valence electrons (outer shell) | 2 |
| Common oxidation states | +6 |
| 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 | 35 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | Not available |
| Boiling point | Not available |
| Appearance | Not available |
| Radioactive | Yes |
| Origin | Synthetic (lab-made) |
Electron configuration of seaborgium
Seaborgium's ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d4, usually shortened to *[Rn] 5f14 6d4 7s2. Its electrons occupy 7 shells (2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 12, 2), placing it in period 7 of the d-block. Explore it interactively in the electron configuration calculator.
Uses of seaborgium
- Fundamental research only
Biological role: None.
Occurrence: Entirely synthetic.
History and discovery
Discovered: 1974 — Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Name origin: Named after Glenn T. Seaborg, co-discoverer of ten elements.
Made at Berkeley in 1974; the name seaborgium was confirmed by IUPAC in 1997.
Safety notes
Radioactive; exists for seconds.
Educational context only — always follow your school's laboratory rules and never handle chemicals without proper supervision. See our disclaimer.
Practice questions
Quick practice: Seaborgium
1. What is the chemical symbol of Seaborgium?
2. What is the atomic number of Seaborgium?
3. Which category does Seaborgium belong to?
4. What is the state of Seaborgium at room temperature?
5. Which period of the periodic table is Seaborgium in?
Seaborgium FAQs
What is the atomic number of seaborgium?
Seaborgium's atomic number is 106 — every seaborgium atom has 106 protons in its nucleus.
What is the symbol for seaborgium?
Sg. Named after Glenn T. Seaborg, co-discoverer of ten elements.
Is seaborgium a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
Seaborgium is classified as a transition metal.
What state is seaborgium at room temperature?
At about 25 °C, seaborgium is a solid.
What is seaborgium used for?
Key uses include: fundamental research only.
Related elements
Keep working with this element
Spotted an error? Report a correction · Data sources