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22Ti47.867
Transition Metalssolid at STPD-block

Titanium

Group: 4Period: 4Standard Atomic Weight: 47.867 u

Why is Titanium in this position?

Understanding the scientific rationale behind Titanium's position in the periodic table:

Group Assignment
Group 4

Belongs to Group 4 because it has 4 valence electrons (3d² 4s²).

Period Assignment
Period 4

Belongs to Period 4 because its outermost occupied shell is n=4.

Orbital Block
D-block

Belongs to the d-block because its valence electrons fill the 3d subshell.

Chemical Category
Transition Metals

Classified as a transition metal due to multiple oxidation states (+2, +3, +4) and hard metallic bonding.

Atomic Structure & Bohr Shell Model

Shell Distribution: [2, 8, 10, 2]

Bohr Atomic Shell Model(2, 8, 10, 2)

Hover or tap any shell orbit ring to inspect electron counts and 2n² capacities.

22 Protons (p⁺)26 Neutrons (n⁰)
KShell K: Electron 1 of 2Shell K: Electron 2 of 2LShell L: Electron 1 of 8Shell L: Electron 2 of 8Shell L: Electron 3 of 8Shell L: Electron 4 of 8Shell L: Electron 5 of 8Shell L: Electron 6 of 8Shell L: Electron 7 of 8Shell L: Electron 8 of 8MShell M: Electron 1 of 10Shell M: Electron 2 of 10Shell M: Electron 3 of 10Shell M: Electron 4 of 10Shell M: Electron 5 of 10Shell M: Electron 6 of 10Shell M: Electron 7 of 10Shell M: Electron 8 of 10Shell M: Electron 9 of 10Shell M: Electron 10 of 10NShell N: Electron 1 of 2Shell N: Electron 2 of 2TiZ = 22

Educational Note: This Niels Bohr planetary model visually illustrates principal quantum energy shells ($n=1, 2, 3\dots$) and electron counts. In modern quantum mechanics (Schrödinger model), electrons do not orbit in fixed circular planetary tracks, but exist as 3D probability clouds (orbitals: $s, p, d, f$) governed by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

Electron Shell Filling Breakdown

Shell K (n=1):2 / 2 electrons (100%)
Shell L (n=2):8 / 8 electrons (100%)
Shell M (n=3):10 / 18 electrons (56%)
Shell N (n=4):2 / 32 electrons (6%)
Aufbau Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d² 4s²

Neutral ground state configuration. Valence electrons: 4.

Atomic & Quantum Properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)1.54 Pauling
1st Ionization Energy658.8 kJ/mol
Electron Affinity-7.6 kJ/mol
Atomic Radius (empirical)176 pm
Common Oxidation States+4, +3, +2
Crystal StructureHCP

Physical & Thermal Properties

Density at STP4.51 g/cm³
Melting Point1668 °C (1941 K)
Boiling Point3287 °C (3560 K)
Magnetic OrderingParamagnetic
Discovery Year1791
Discovered ByWilliam Gregor

Real-World Uses, Occurrence & Compounds

Major Industrial & Everyday Uses
  • Commercial jetliner airframes and high-thrust jet engine turbine blades
  • Medical bone screws, dental implants, and prosthetic joints
  • Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) ultra-bright white pigment in paints, plastics, and sunscreens
  • Desalination plant piping, naval submarines, and chemical processing reactors
Occurrence in Nature

Ninth most abundant element in Earth's crust, found principally in ilmenite (FeTiO₃) and rutile (TiO₂) heavy mineral sands.

Etymology & Name Origin

From the Titans of Greek mythology, renowned for supreme strength

Important Chemical Compounds
TiO₂ (Titanium dioxide)
TiCl₄ (Titanium tetrachloride)
TiN (Titanium nitride)
Interesting Chemical Facts
  • Titanium is as strong as steel but 45% lighter, and twice as strong as aluminium.
  • The SR-71 Blackbird spy plane was constructed almost entirely from titanium to withstand aerodynamic heating above Mach 3.
  • Titanium osseointegrates directly with living human bone, allowing bone cells to grow onto its porous surface without rejection.
Safety & Handling Note

Solid titanium is completely bio-inert and hypoallergenic; titanium metal powder is pyrophoric and combusts in pure nitrogen.