Element / isotope identity
Atomic number, isotope identity and discovery evidence are experimentally/evaluatively grounded.
Electron configuration
Very-heavy-element configurations are theory/evaluation-led; ordinary elements use evaluated ground-state references.
Bulk material structure
The Face-centred cubic (FCC) reference is represented by a simplified teaching cell.
Phase / density data
Unknown values stay unknown; reported values are tied to the elemental material reference.
The lens describes evidence status, not confidence theatre. “Unknown” is kept unknown, and teaching schematics are not presented as direct measurements.
Iridium (Ir)
Iridium is element 77. This guide connects its periodic-table identity to evidence-aware structure, isotopes, uses, discovery and the search questions learners actually ask.
Iridium atomic number, mass, electron configuration and key properties
Iridium: quick answers
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does iridium have?
Iridium’s atomic number is 77, so every iridium atom has 77 protons, and a neutral atom also has 77 electrons. Its most common natural isotope, iridium-193, has 116 neutrons (other isotopes have different neutron counts).
What is the symbol for iridium?
The chemical symbol for iridium is Ir.
Is iridium a solid, liquid or gas at room temperature?
Iridium is a solid at room temperature (about 25 °C).
What family (group) is iridium in?
Iridium is a transition metal, in group 9, period 6 of the periodic table.
What is the electron configuration of iridium?
The ground-state electron configuration of iridium is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁷ 6s².
From atomic number to chemistry
Read these as a chain of causes, not as isolated facts. Each step links to the concept hub if you want the underlying idea explained.
77 protons define iridium.
Ground-state/reference configuration frames atomic behavior; heavy-element predictions remain evidence-labelled.
Periodic position organizes trends without replacing element-specific evidence.
The teaching nucleus is one isotope, not the relative atomic mass.
Measured structures are visualized; unknown bulk structures stay unknown.
Iridium in its period and family
Iridium is element 77 in Period 6. Its d-block/series position provides useful periodic context, but element-specific experimental evidence takes priority over simple trend extrapolation.
Iridium Visual Lab
Explore Ir across the teaching nucleus, isolated-atom orbitals, evidence-aware material structure and temperature/evidence views, then connect those models to uses, isotopes, search-led questions and source-backed context.
Every mark points to one exact feature
The numbered markers explain the same information system used throughout Element Lookup. Unknown or predicted fields remain visibly labelled rather than being replaced with guesses.
Iridium in one minute
Atomic number 77 means every iridium nucleus has 77 protons.
The ground-state/reference electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁷ 6s².
The representative teaching isotope is ¹⁹³Ir.
Iridium is exceptionally dense and corrosion resistant. Search results can also refer to iridium compounds, electrodes and game items; this page stays focused on the chemical element and its real materials context.
Material structure status: Face-centred cubic (FCC).
Shell rings organize electron counts. They are not electron trajectories or orbital shapes.
2 · 8 · 18 · 32 · 15 · 2 electrons
Displayed orbitals are isolated-atom, nonrelativistic teaching probability models. They are not bulk-band structures, bonding orbitals or direct measured electron-density maps; relativistic effects become especially important for very heavy elements.
The viewer represents the reviewed Face-centred cubic (FCC) material reference for elemental Iridium. It is a teaching model, not a refined crystallographic coordinate set or a model of every compound.. The viewer is evidence-aware: measured structures are identified as such; unknown bulk structures stay unknown.
Teaching visualization; not a literal finite sample or thermal trajectory.What this model does—and does not—show
Displayed orbitals are isolated-atom, nonrelativistic teaching probability models. They are not bulk-band structures, bonding orbitals or direct measured electron-density maps; relativistic effects become especially important for very heavy elements.
Where do I meet iridium?
Clickable learning cards connect the element to materials, environment, technology, biology or research - depending on what the evidence actually supports.
High-temperature crucibles and specialized alloys
This context uses Iridium or a iridium-containing material; the element and its compounds/isotopes are kept distinct.
Iridium metal → engineered materials → evidence boundary
The same element can appear in very different materials; the page keeps elemental structure separate from compounds, alloys and isotope-specific applications.
Face-centred cubic (FCC)
Elemental Iridium uses the reviewed ordinary structure shown in the Visual Lab.
Iridium in periodic context
Compare nearby or family-related elements without treating a periodic trend as a substitute for element-specific evidence.
| Atomic number | 76 |
|---|---|
| Context | neighbor / series |
| Atomic number | 77 |
|---|---|
| Context | neighbor / series |
| Atomic number | 78 |
|---|---|
| Context | neighbor / series |
Iridium properties: atomic, physical, thermal and chemical
Categories follow the science of this element rather than a fixed decorative template. Each row carries condition/provenance context and an evidence label; unknown values stay unknown.
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic number | 77 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Relative atomic mass | 192.217 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ground-state electron configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁷ 6s² | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Group / period / block | Group 9 · Period 6 · d-block | Periodic-table placement | Evaluated |
| Electronegativity | 2.20 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Reference isotope | ¹⁹³Ir | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| State context | Hard silvery, highly corrosion-resistant platinum-group metal | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Density | 22.5622 g/cm³ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Material / molecular structure | Face-centred cubic (FCC) | The viewer represents the reviewed Face-centred cubic (FCC) material reference for elemental Iridium. It is a teaching model, not a refined crystallographic coordinate set or a model of every compound. | Measured |
| Classification | Transition metal | Periodic-table / chemistry classification | Evaluated |
| Structure-model scope | The viewer represents the reviewed Face-centred cubic (FCC) material reference for elemental Iridium. It is a teaching model, not a refined crystallographic coordinate set or a model of every compound. | Teaching visualization; exact crystallographic coordinates are not implied unless stated. | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting / transition reference | 2719 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Boiling / gas reference | 4701 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Phase-path context | At approximately standard pressure, iridium is treated as solid below 2719 K, liquid between the melting and boiling references, and gas above 4701 K. Solid-state allotropy is only shown where explicitly reviewed. | Shared phase registry drives the slider, regions and markers. | Evaluated |
| Condition warning | Temperature and pressure define phase behavior; purity/allotropy may matter. | Teaching condition statement | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary electrical behavior | Metallic conductor | Qualitative bulk behavior; exact resistivity depends on temperature, purity and alloy state. | Measured |
| Conduction model | Collective solid-state electrons | Do not interpret isolated-atom orbital clouds as literal current paths. | Reviewed |
| Surface / compound caveat | Oxides, salts and alloys can behave differently from the pure metal | Material context | Reviewed |
| Engineering values | Condition-dependent | Use condition-specific materials data for engineering calculations. | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common oxidation states | +4, +3, +1, 0 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ion / common ion context | Ir³⁺ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Periodic chemistry context | Iridium is element 77 in Period 6. Its d-block/series position provides useful periodic context, but element-specific experimental evidence takes priority over simple trend extrapolation. | Element-specific interpretation | Reviewed |
| Chemistry caution | Elemental form, ions and compounds are distinct chemical objects. | Interpretive teaching rule | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¹⁹³Ir | Reference teaching isotope | Mass number belongs to a specific isotope and is not the same thing as relative atomic mass. | Evaluated |
| Isotope evidence | Element-specific nuclear context | Half-life and decay properties are isotope-specific; the page does not generalize one isotope to all atoms. | Evaluated |
| Teaching nucleus | ¹⁹³Ir · 77 protons + 116 neutrons | Reference isotope used in the nucleus model | Reviewed |
Is Iridium a solid, liquid or gas? State at temperature
At approximately standard pressure, iridium is treated as solid below 2719 K, liquid between the melting and boiling references, and gas above 4701 K. Solid-state allotropy is only shown where explicitly reviewed.
Where on Earth is Iridium found or produced?
Who discovered Iridium, and when?
Smithson Tennant identified iridium in platinum-ore residues in London.
The element name and discovery story are part of the historical record; search-led questions are answered without turning history into scientific evidence for bulk properties.
Current use is described at the level supported by the element’s availability and evidence, with research-only elements kept research-only.
From source material to Iridium applications: high-level material path
Iridium enters supply chains through ores, by-products or specialized refining routes rather than through the educational structure shown here.
Industrial separation/refining produces metal or element-specific compounds; this guide does not provide operational extraction recipes.
The refined material is converted into the particular alloy, compound, device or catalyst needed by the application.
Recycling and recovery depend on host material and economics; application materials must not be confused with pure element.
What is iridium used for?
High-temperature crucibles and specialized alloys
Element-specific use context; compounds/alloys are distinguished from pure metal.
Spark-plug and electrical-contact materials
Element-specific use context; compounds/alloys are distinguished from pure metal.
Iridium compounds in selected catalysts and electrochemistry
Element-specific use context; compounds/alloys are distinguished from pure metal.
Iridium isotopes and natural abundance
¹⁹³Ir
Reference teaching isotopeMass number belongs to a specific isotope and is not the same thing as relative atomic mass.
Isotope evidence
Element-specific nuclear contextHalf-life and decay properties are isotope-specific; the page does not generalize one isotope to all atoms.
Five-question Iridium check
What is Iridium’s atomic number?
Which statement best describes the material evidence for Iridium?
What is the safest rule for Iridium uses?
Iridium questions students commonly ask
Each answer starts with the direct fact, then explains the chemistry, evidence or material context so the result is understandable rather than merely memorized.
What is the atomic number of iridium?
Short answer: The atomic number is 77, meaning every iridium nucleus has 77 protons.
Atomic number is defined by proton count, so 77 protons are what make an atom iridium. A neutral iridium atom also has 77 electrons, while isotopes can have different neutron counts without changing the element.
Key point: Atomic number = proton count.
What is the symbol for iridium?
Short answer: The chemical symbol is Ir.
The symbol Ir is the standardized chemical abbreviation for element 77. In a chemical formula, Ir identifies iridium atoms; a compound containing Ir is not automatically the same material as elemental iridium.
Key point: Ir always identifies element 77.
What is iridium?
Short answer: Iridium is element 77, a dense and highly corrosion-resistant platinum-group transition metal.
Atomic number 77 means every iridium nucleus contains 77 protons. In the periodic table, Iridium is classified here as a transition metal in Period 6 and Group 9. Iridium is element 77 in Period 6. Its d-block/series position provides useful periodic context, but element-specific experimental evidence takes priority over simple trend extrapolation.
Key point: Ir is element 77; its periodic position and electron structure explain the rest of the page.
What is iridium used for?
Short answer: Iridium is used in specialized high-temperature and wear-resistant components, electrodes and selected catalytic systems.
High-temperature crucibles and specialized alloys: Element-specific use context; compounds/alloys are distinguished from pure metal. Spark-plug and electrical-contact materials: Element-specific use context; compounds/alloys are distinguished from pure metal. Iridium is exceptionally dense and corrosion resistant. Search results can also refer to iridium compounds, electrodes and game items; this page stays focused on the chemical element and its real materials context.
Key point: Always distinguish the pure element from the compound, alloy, isotope or device material that actually performs the application.
Is iridium a metal?
Short answer: Yes. Elemental iridium is a hard silvery transition metal.
This guide classifies Iridium as a transition metal. Its periodic position is Period 6, d-block, Group 9. Iridium is element 77 in Period 6. Its d-block/series position provides useful periodic context, but element-specific experimental evidence takes priority over simple trend extrapolation.
Key point: Periodic-table classification describes recurring atomic/chemical behavior; it does not make every element in a column physically identical.
Scientific sources for Iridium
- Royal Society of Chemistry - Iridium
- NIST - Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions
- IUPAC - Periodic Table of Elements
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