hafnium
Hafnium (noun) means a chemical element with the symbol Hf and atomic number 72, a lustrous, silvery-grey transition metal. Example: “Hafnium has the symbol Hf.”
How to use hafnium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA silvery-grey metallic element, number 72 on the periodic table.
It is a technical term used in chemistry.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ has the symbol Hf.
Etymology
The name was formed from Hafnia, the Latin name for Copenhagen, plus the suffix -ium. It was chosen because the element was discovered in Copenhagen.