Tc
Technetium
Atomic number: 43Mass: 97 uCategory: Transition Metal
About Technetium
Technetium was the first element to be produced artificially. All of its isotopes are radioactive. Despite this, it has important medical applications. The name comes from the Greek 'technetos' meaning artificial.
Properties
Period
5
Group
7
Block
D
Category
Transition Metal
Electronegativity
1.90 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
702 kJ/mol
Melting Point
2430 K (2157°C)
Boiling Point
4538 K (4265°C)
Density
11 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+4, +7
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d⁵ 5s²
[Kr] 4d⁵ 5s²
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:18e⁻
Shell 4:13e⁻
Shell 5:2e⁻
Real-World Uses
Nuclear medicine (bone scans)
Radioactive tracers
Scientific research
Corrosion inhibitor (limited)
Superconductors (alloys)
Fun Fact
Technetium is the lightest element with no stable isotopes — yet it saves thousands of lives daily as a medical imaging agent!