Titanium (Ti)
Transition metal
Titanium combines the strength of steel with almost half the weight, resists seawater and body fluids, and bonds with living bone. That mix makes it the metal of jet engines, premium bikes and medical implants.
Position on the periodic table
Atomic properties
| Atomic number | 22 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 47.8671 amu |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d2 |
| Noble gas shorthand | [Ar] 3d2 4s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 10, 2 |
| Valence electrons (outer shell) | 2 |
| Common oxidation states | +4, +3 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.54 |
| Covalent radius (approx.) | 160 pm |
| First ionization energy | 658.8 kJ/mol |
| Electron affinity | 7.3 kJ/mol |
Physical properties
| State at 25 °C | Solid |
|---|---|
| Density | 4.506 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 1667.8 °C (1941 K) |
| Boiling point | 3286.8 °C (3560 K) |
| Appearance | silvery grey-white metallic |
| Radioactive | No |
| Origin | Occurs naturally |
Electron configuration of titanium
Titanium's ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d2, usually shortened to [Ar] 3d2 4s2. Its electrons occupy 4 shells (2, 8, 10, 2), placing it in period 4 of the d-block. Explore it interactively in the electron configuration calculator.
Uses of titanium
- Jet engines and airframes
- Hip and dental implants
- White pigment (TiO₂) in paint, paper and plastics
- Corrosion-proof marine equipment
Biological role: None — but it is so unreactive in the body that implants last decades.
Occurrence: Ninth most abundant element in the crust, mined as rutile and ilmenite.
Common compounds of titanium
TiO2
Titanium dioxide
TiCl4
Titanium tetrachloride
History and discovery
Discovered: 1791 — William Gregor. Name origin: Named after the Titans of Greek mythology.
William Gregor found it in 1791 in Cornish sand; Martin Klaproth named it titanium in 1795.
Safety notes
Titanium metal and TiO₂ are considered very safe; fine titanium powder is flammable.
Educational context only — always follow your school's laboratory rules and never handle chemicals without proper supervision. See our disclaimer.
Practice questions
Quick practice: Titanium
1. What is the chemical symbol of Titanium?
2. What is the atomic number of Titanium?
3. Which category does Titanium belong to?
4. What is the state of Titanium at room temperature?
5. Which period of the periodic table is Titanium in?
Titanium FAQs
What is the atomic number of titanium?
Titanium's atomic number is 22 — every titanium atom has 22 protons in its nucleus.
What is the symbol for titanium?
Ti. Named after the Titans of Greek mythology.
Is titanium a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
Titanium is classified as a transition metal.
What state is titanium at room temperature?
At about 25 °C, titanium is a solid. It melts at 1667.8 °C.
What is titanium used for?
Key uses include: jet engines and airframes; hip and dental implants; white pigment (tio₂) in paint, paper and plastics.
Related elements
Keep working with this element
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