rutherfordium[rut̸h′ər fr′dē əm, rut̸h′-]
a radioactive chemical element with a very short half-life: a transactinide produced by bombarding californium or plutonium with high-energy nuclear particles: symbol, Rf; at. no., 104
Origin of rutherfordiumModern Latin after Ernest Ernest Rutherford + -ium
An artificially produced radioactive element with atomic number 104 that has only been produced in trace amounts. The isotope with mass number 261 has the longest confirmed half-life (65 seconds), although isotopes with longer half-lives have been reported. See Periodic Table.
Origin of rutherfordiumAfter Ernest Rutherford.
- A transuranic chemical element (symbol Rf) with an atomic number of 104
Named for Ernest Rutherford