Zirconium (Zr): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Zirconium (Zr) is element 40 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 5, group 4. Its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d2 5s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 10, 2, and its standard atomic weight is 91.224 u.
▶ Watch Zirconium’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableZirconium at a glance
| Symbol | Zr |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 40 |
| Atomic mass | 91.224 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 4 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d2 5s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Kr] 4d2 5s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 10, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.33 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Zirconium on the periodic table?
Zirconium is in period 5, group 4, in the d-block. The period number matches its 5 electron shells, and the block names the subshell its last electrons fill. In the same group, Titanium sits directly above it and Hafnium sits directly below it. Elements in the same column of the d-block often have similar chemistry.
How to work out the electron configuration of Zirconium
Put 40 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d¹⁰ (30), 4p⁶ (36), 5s² (38), 4d² (40). In shorthand, [Kr] stands for the 36 electrons of krypton, giving [Kr] 4d² 5s².
How electronegative is Zirconium?
Zirconium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.33, ranking 60 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is low: it tends to give up electrons and form positive ions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Zirconium?
The electron configuration of Zirconium (Zr) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d2 5s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Kr] 4d2 5s2.
How many electrons does Zirconium have in each shell?
Zirconium has 40 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 10, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Zirconium?
The standard atomic weight of Zirconium is 91.224 u, so one mole of Zirconium atoms has a mass of about 91.224 g.
Is Zirconium a metal?
Yes. Zirconium is a transition metal.
Explore nearby elements
More transition metals: Yttrium, Niobium, Molybdenum, Technetium, Ruthenium, Rhodium. See all elements on the periodic table.